"Proprietor Marc de Grazia is one of the pioneers of the Etna. Not only was he among the first producers to recognize the value of these once-forgotten, ancient terroirs, he also was the first producer to bring attention to the specific qualities of these vineyards by bottling single-parcel Nerellos that have become reference-point wines for the Etna." – Wine Advocate "Terre Nere's wines all possessed unbelievable freshness and complexity as well as huge perfumes that suggested Pinot Noir...These wines are astonishingly complex and ethereal efforts from the hillsides of Mt. Etna in Sicily." – Robert Parker The Terre Nere estate has roughly 20-21 hectares, of which 15 are planted to vines. Roughly 4.5 of these have been uprooted and will be replanted within two years after letting the soil "rest". Two vineyards, for a total of roughly 11-12 hectares, make up the Calderara Cru, of which 1.5 hectares are pre-phylloxera; the rest are about 40-50 years old (and they have not been uprooted). Two different vineyards comprise the Guardiola Cru, for a total of 2.1 hectares, almost all of which is pre-phylloxera (except for some replanted vines). The Guardiola vineyards are the highest-altitude red-grape vineyards in Europe! The "Feudo di Mezzo" Cru is made up of two other vineyards, for a total of 1.35 hectares. 500,000 years of volcanic eruptions have created endless soil variation in neighboring plots of land, many of them radical. The soil at Terre Nere is mostly volcanic ash speckled by black pumice and peppered with abundant volcanic rock; to call it 'rocky' is putting it mildly! The weather variations in the area are profound and generally characterized by exposure, altitude, and 'airiness,' defined here as the character of a well-exposed vineyard not protected by hills, and therefore open to the cooling and drying effects of the wind. This is particularly important at Terre Nere because the harvest usually takes place in the last weeks of October, meaning that the grapes are in their most fragile state when the weather 'breaks' its autumn pattern, making them susceptible to oidium and mildew. The 'airiness' of the climate, however, helps to dry out the grapes after rain and moisture threaten mold. Above all else, the extraordinary elevation yields dramatic temperature variations between night and day, making the wines of Etna fine and elegant, devoid of the heat and overripe flavors that usually define southern wines. In fact, most people who have tasted these wines, particularly the 2004s, say they find them most akin to Burgundies or Barolos. Production is simple, classic, and Burgundian in style: the grapes are grown organically, using only bordelaise mixture and organic fertilization – mostly dung. Vinification follows the same lead: maceration-fermentation lasts 10-15 days, followed by malolactic fermentation and aging in oak – 25% new – and bottling around 18 months later. The 2004 vintage marks the real birth of Tenuta delle Terre Nere, because for the first time the estate is self sufficient, and the grapes produced were vinified at the estate's new cellars. The wines are astounding. The '02 and '03s have been likened to Pinot and Nebbiolo, as being Burgundian or Langhe-esque. Now there's no doubt about it. The old vines cuvees are difficult to distinguish from very fine Burgundy! With their subtlety and generosity, the wines manage to be rich and precise at the same time.
Vinous Media 91 "The 2020 Etna Rosso is remarkably pretty, finessed and floral in style, with dusty rose and licorice-tinged cherry berry fruits forming its bouquet.
Vinous Media 91 "The moment I put my nose to the glass, I questioned if this was just the entry-level 2020 Etna Bianco. Crushed stone and
James Suckling 94 "This Etna dry white is super-fresh, but also deep and complex. Fascinating tension between the smoky minerality and citrus character (everything from blossoms
Decanter 97 "Sottana lies on an ancient lava flow and hosts centenarian vines. Spice and graphite blends with aromas of violet, berry fruits and Mediterranean scrub.
James Suckling 95 "A tight, linear red, showing cherry, watermelon and orange-peel aromas with hints of violets. Its medium-bodied with a solid center palate and a
James Suckling 94 "Welcome to the slopes of the smoking volcano! Intensely smoky and stony, this is quite a radical expression of this appellation with hardcore
Wine Enthusiast 95 "Dark-skinned berry, camphor and dried rose petal aromas form the enticing nose along with whiffs of cake spice. On the almost velvety palate,
Wine Spectator 91 "Ripe black raspberry and blackberry fruit is accented by wild sage and mandarin orange peel hints in this minerally, medium-bodied red. Plush tannins
Tasting Notes "Red berry, new leather, camphor and Mediterranean scrub aromas take shape in the glass. Elegantly structured and enveloping, the savory, rather austere palate delivers
Tasting Notes "The 2021 Etna Rosato lifts up wonderfully fresh and perfumed, offering notes of sweet peach and white smoke backed by honeyed florals and wedges
Vinous Media 91 "The 2020 Etna Rosato lifts up wonderfully fresh and perfumed, offering notes of sweet peach and white smoke backed by honeyed florals and
James Suckling 94 Top Value Wines 2020 Rank 60 "The purity of fruit is so impressive here with black cherry and dried strawberry to the
Wine Enthusiast 95 "Heady aromas of blue flower, menthol, black spice and ripe dark-skinned fruit fill the glass. Made with vines that are over 130 years
Wine Enthusiast 95 "Red berry, new leather, camphor and Mediterranean scrub aromas take shape in the glass. Elegantly structured and enveloping, the savory, rather austere palate
Wine Enthusiast 92 Editor's Choice "Yellow apple, botanical herb and chamomile aromas waft out of the glass. On the racy, mineral-driven palate, crisp acidity and tangy saline
The Wine A favorite of Antonio Galloni, this delicious Nerello Mascalese-based rosato has been praised for its compelling aromatics and ethereal sweet fruit and extraordinary complexity.
The Wine The Etna Rosso San Lorenzo is from 4 hectares of vineyards in the same named district in the town of Randazzo. The vines are
Wine & Spirits 93 "Marco de Grazias vintage notes indicate that from August to October of 2018, Mt. Etna received nearly 30 inches of rain, compared
The Wine 100 Carricante grown in volcanic ash soils speckled with black pumice and solid volcanic rock at an altitude of 600-650 meters above sea level.
Vinous Media 90 "Luminous medium-dark straw yellow. Aromas and flavors of chamomile and balsamic oils along with hints of pear and minerals on the inviting nose.
Vinous Media 91 "Ultra pale onion-peel pink. Herbs, almond paste, fresh flowers and cherry skin on the fresh nose. Then bright and juicy in the mouth
Wine & Spirits 92 "Produced from a mix of young and old vines on Etnas north slope, this wine unfolds with flavors of wild strawberry and
James Suckling 96 "So floral and fresh with cherries, watermelon, apples, crushed stone and flowers on the nose. Its medium-to full-bodied with firm tannins and fresh,
Vinous Media 93 "Luminous golden-tinged straw yellow. Minerals and a hint of white flowers on the saline accented nose. Rich round and smooth, with very deep,
Wine Spectator 95 "A graceful, medium-bodied version, with silky tannins and a pleasing juiciness to the array of plumped cherry, stemmy herb and tangy mineral flavors,