Tascante Ghiaia Nera ETNA DOC 2022

Tasting Profile
Brilliant ruby red with garnet highlights, this elegant Etna red reveals captivating aromas of wild red berries, sour cherries, and pomegranate intertwined with notes of Mediterranean herbs, volcanic minerals, and delicate floral undertones of rose and violet. The palate offers vibrant flavors of red currant, strawberry, and blood orange complemented by nuances of white pepper, fresh tobacco, and a distinctive ferrous minerality. Medium-bodied with remarkable tension between bright acidity and fine-grained tannins that provide sophisticated structure, culminating in a long, precise finish with lingering notes of red fruit, herbs, and that unmistakable volcanic ash character unique to Etna.

Winemaker Notes
Crafted by the renowned Tasca d'Almerita family at their Tascante estate on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, Ghiaia Nera (meaning "black gravel") showcases Sicily's indigenous Nerello Mascalese grape. The vines grow at elevations between 650-700 meters above sea level on ancient volcanic soils rich in minerals and black volcanic stones, which impart distinctive complexity and mineral character. Following traditional vinification with gentle extraction, the wine ages primarily in large neutral oak casks, preserving the variety's delicate aromatics and allowing the unique terroir expression to shine through.

Vintage Notes
The 2022 vintage on Mount Etna delivered exceptional conditions for Nerello Mascalese, with warm days and significantly cooler nights creating perfect diurnal temperature variation during the crucial ripening period. This allowed for slow, even maturation, resulting in grapes with ideal balance between fruit development, structural elements, and vibrant acidity that beautifully express the distinctive high-altitude volcanic terroir.

Suggested Pairings

• Grilled tuna with herbs
• Pasta alla Norma
• Roasted lamb with rosemary
• Wild mushroom risotto
• Traditional Sicilian dishes
• Medium-aged cheeses

Technical Details

• Region: Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy
• Classification: DOC Etna Rosso
• Varietal: 100% Nerello Mascalese
• Alcohol: 13.5% ABV
• Aging: Large neutral oak casks
• Contains sulfites

Cellaring
While already showing beautifully, this wine has excellent aging potential and will continue to develop complexity for 5-8 years, with well-stored bottles potentially evolving even further as tertiary characteristics emerge.