Terre Nere are reckoned to be a founder member of the Etna Rosso brigade. The owner seems to have spent most of a working life consulting and exporting Italian wine to the world. He then chose Etna for his own vineyard or as their website puts it, perhaps Etna chose him, such is the magnetism of the place. The website also suggests the Etna Rosso is “fresh, fragrant, beautifully slender with a fine grip.” That sums it up really. The site goes on to add that with ageing, “it is a wine for gentlemen. It is an aristocratically liberal wine.” Well, that may rule out a bolshy blogger. Luckily it didn’t stop a good wine shop in Acireale selling me a bottle. In the glass, it is indeed a classy mouthful. All the rocky red fruit of Etna and that nexus of pumice like tannin and a fine tingle of acidity. Medium weight and just so for its level below what must be some astoundingly good crus from their various contrada holdings. Think there may be an indulgence if the holiday budget holds up. May have to buy a cravat.
14% alcohol. Diam. €25.
93 very cultured points.
Cognitive Bottle Therapy 