Calabretta Nerello Mascalese Vigne Vecchie 2014

Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily, Italy 

Wine Advocate 92 points! Vinous 93 points!

Calabretta Nerello Mascalese Vigne Vecchie IGT (formerly labeled Etna Rosso) comes from a seven-hectare vineyard on the slopes of Mount Etna. Average age of the vineyards is between 60-80 years with some plants over 100 years old, some ungrafted--on original root stock. Massimiliano Calabretta holds more in common with some of the stalwarts of traditional Barolo production than he does with most of his fellow Etna producers. He ages his wine in large neutral oak botti and holds his wine back for years in bottle before release. This vintage is a blend of nerello mascalese and nerello cappuccio. The winery practices organic farming in black volcanic, stony soil at an elevation of 750 meters.

Calabretta Nerello Mascalese Vigne Vecchie Terre Siciliane IGT is deep ruby in color with medium-full body. It shows rich flavors of black fruit with the depth and complexity of an aged Barolo. The wine was aged in large Slavonian oak casks (50-70HL) for 36-42 months. Impressively long and velvety on the finish. 

“The 2014 Nerello Mascalese Vigne Vecchie shows medium dark concentration and a richer color than you might expect of this usually quite transparent Sicilian variety. Enhanced color saturation is one of the unique characteristics of the vintage. With dried cherry, cola and sweet plum, the wine shows medium intensity on the mid-palate. It is drinking nicely right now with silky tannins. A tiny 2% of Nerello Cappuccio is present, from old vines in Calderara Sottana and Taccione. Production is 20,000 bottles.”—Monica Larner, Wine Advocate 92 points!

Enjoy Calabretta Nerello Mascalese Vigne Vecchie IGT over the next 6-8 years with osso buco, lasagna, grilled meats and aged cheeses.