Etna single-contrada wines from Alta Mora have arrived! We’ve been dying to bring some of these incredibly terroir-expressive wines to Australia, and we think that enough of you are starting to understand Etna wines, and it’s finally time. With some great luck, we’ve snapped up a small allocation of the 2017 vintage wine, both Finale Tre Bicchieri wines in Gambero Rosso (among many other accolades), and just approaching their best drinking windows.
Alta Mora Feudo di Mezzo Etna Rosso DOC 2017
Feudo di Mezzo has century-old alberello (single-stake vines) Nerello Mascalese across at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level. It’s near Passopisciaro on the northern slopes of Mt Etna, where the deep and mixed volcanic soils with prevalence of ash are noted for producing grapes with delicate structure and pronounced minerality. Alta Mora’s three hectares are also renowned for the prominence of the primary fruit characters in the resultant wines.
After a manual harvest, the grapes are destemmed and macerated at 28°C for nearly three weeks. After gentle pressing, malolactic fermentation and maturation takes place in large-format barrels.
“Here is another worthy expression from one of the most interesting vineyards (or “contrade”) on the Sicilian volcano. The Alta Mora 2017 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo has more plum and dark fruit than is typical of this dry vintage, but those volcanic and campfire-like aromas are never far. This vintage shows an unusual focus on primary fruit that you don’t always get with old-vine Nerello Mascalese. The wine delivers spicy tannins over a rigid, mineral-driven mouthfeel.” Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
- Finale Tre Bicchieri 2022 Gambero Rosso
- 94 points, Guida Essenziale ai Vini d’Italia 2023 by Daniele Cernilli
- 93 points, The Wine Advocate
- 93 points, James Suckling
- 92 points, Vinous
Alta Mora Guardiola Etna Rosso DOC 2017
The place that, on account of its location, colours and absolute beauty, gives its name to the entire project, is a natural amphitheatre with terracing between 800 and 1000 metres a.s.l. After the preparation of the soil and the reconstruction of the terraces and the traditional dry-stone walls, seven hectares of Nerello Mascalese vines were planted in free-standing system (albarello) alongside the existing old vines.
This wine is from the older vines, which at half-way to the summit of Etna, have been close to the mountain’s volcanic activity for over 150 years. Concentrated low yields produce wines known for their dried cherry and tar/campfire character, requiring little time in oak to support the strength of primary fruit character and structure. After a manual harvest, the grapes are destemmed and macerated at 28°C for nearly three weeks. After gentle pressing, malolactic fermentation and maturation takes place in large-format barrels.
“The nose on this Etna rosso shows stones, fresh mixed berries and new leather shoes, while the juicy but savory palate has notes of grilled meat, olives and crushed stones, before wild strawberry and raspberries creep through. The round juiciness is contrasted by a backbone of acid that keeps the finish dynamic.” Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast
- Finale Tre Bicchieri 2022, Gambero Rosso
- 97 points, Guida Essenziale ai Vini d’Italia 2023 by Daniele Cernilli
- 94 points, Vinous
- 92 points, James Suckling
- 92 points, Wine Enthusiast
