Benanti

Sicily, Italy

Contrada Cavaliere, Etna Rosso DOC — 2019

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  • Vineyard Profile

    • South-western slope of Mount Etna in Contrada Cavaliere (part of the village of Santa Maria di Licodia), particularly suited for its high elevation and abundant luminosity.

      Appellation: Etna DOC Rosso

      Climate: Mountain climate, less rainy than other slopes of Mount Etna, with high ventilation and luminosity and extremely significant diurnal range

      Altitude: 900 m a.s.l. / 2,950 ft a.s.l.

      Vine Age: 50 years old.

      Training: Trained with Guyot system.

      Soil: Sandy, volcanic, rich in skeleton and minerals, with sub-acid reaction

      Density: 6,500 vinestocks per hectare (2,632 vines per acre)

      Yield: 6,000 kg/ha

  • Vinification

    • Grapes are hand-picked around mid October and de-stemmed. Fermentation occurs at a controlled temperature in stainless steel vats, with a 21 days long maceration, using a specific indigenous yeast selected in the vineyard by Benanti. The maturation occurs in used tonneaux of French oak for about 12 months and then in stainless steel.

    • Aging: In tonneaux of French oak (used) for 12 months and then in stainless steel tanks. Followed by 10 months in the bottle.
  • Technical Information

    • Varietal Composition: Nerello Mascalese, the noble indigenous red grape of Mount Etna
    • Alcohol: 14%
  • Tasting Notes

    • Color: Pale, ruby

      Scent: Ethereal, spicy, with scents of red fruit

      Taste and Body: Dry, medium-to-full-bodied, distinctively tannic, balanced and persistent

    • Serving Suggestions: A wine particularly suited for red meats, wild fowl and mature cheese

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Reviews

  • Contrada Cavaliere, Etna Rosso DOC — 2019 – Wine Spectator – 91 Points

    "Delivers macerated cherry and strawberry fruit that's sweet and juicy, yet this light- to medium-bodied red is fresh and minerally overall, with a tarry underpinning. Reveals accents of dried thyme and spiced orange peel that linger on the chalky finish, where sculpted tannins emerge."

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