Benanti Etna Rosso Contrada Cavaliere comes from a vineyard in Contrada Cavaliere, located on the southwest side of Mount Etna, in the area of Santa Maria di Licodia (Catania), particularly well-suited to cultivating this varietal due to its high altitude (900 meters above sea level) and abundant sunlight. This wine is made from 100% Nerello Mascalese; the grapes are grown on 50-year-old vines grown in the espalier method. The volcanic soil is sandy, rich in minerals, and has excellent draining capacity. The dry, mountainous climate is well-ventilated with very significant temperature fluctuations. The grapes are harvested in mid-October; the fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled steel tanks with a 21-day maceration period with yeasts selected in-house. The wine ages in French oak tonneaux for 12 months and then in steel before being bottled for a further 10 months of aging.

ETNA ROSSO CONTRADA CAVALIERE 2017 BENANTI: TASTING NOTES

Benanti Etna Rosso Contrada Cavaliere has a ruby ​​red color. The nose is broad and slightly ethereal, with notes of nutmeg, cloves, lavender, brandied cherry, Mediterranean scrub, tobacco, and smoke. The tannins are vigorous and well-integrated; in the mouth, this wine is fresh and savory and with a good mineral persistence. Very good with local aged pecorino, as well as roasted pigeon.