Contrada Monte Serra, Etna Rosso DOC — 2021
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Introduction
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THE WINERY: Winemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800s in Viagrande. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988.
THE WINE: Contrada Monte Serra, on the slopes of Monte Serra, an ancient extinct volcanic cone within the territory of the village of Viagrande (CT), on the southeastern flank of Mount Etna.
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Vineyard Profile
- Appellation: Etna D.O.C. Rosso
- Location: Sicily
- Cultivation: Sustainable
- Vine Age: 14 to 100+ years-old
- Soil: Volcanic sands, rich in minerals, with sub-acid reaction
- Density: 9,000 vinestocks per hectare (3,644 vines per acre)
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Vintage Report
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In spring, the rain increased powdery mildew. However, our traditional vineyard cultivation methods kept the bunches intact. The hot and dry summer led to water stress, resulting in the development of sugars and extractive substances in our native vines. The autumn rain did not damage the bunches or their ripening. The precise green pruning and leaf removal kept the bunches healthy without the need for additional treatments. Our 2021 harvest started in September and ended in mid-October. The volcanic activity enriched the soil in Contrada Rinazzo.
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Vinification
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Grapes are hand-picked in late September / early October, de-stemmed and softly pressed. Fermentation occurs at a controlled temperature in stainless steel, with a 21-day long maceration, using an indigenous yeast selected in the vineyards by Benanti. Maturation occurs in used tonneaux of French oak for about 12 months.
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: Nerello Mascalese
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- TA: 5.4 g/L
- p H: 3.7
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Tasting Notes
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Pale, ruby red with light tints of garnet. Ethereal, spicy scent with scents of red fruit. Dry, medium-to-full bodied, reasonably tannic, balanced, and persistent.
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Images
Reviews
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Contrada Monte Serra, Etna Rosso DOC — 2021 – Decanter – 92 Points
“It's noticeably more garnet than Contrada Cavaliere's ruby and offers up mulchy, earthy fragrances with red fruits and spice. It has lovely acidity, with chocolatey red fruits in the mouth accompanied by plenty of spice, leading to a long woody, balsamic finish.”
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Contrada Monte Serra, Etna Rosso DOC — 2021 – Vinous – 93 Points
“Dusty, floral, yet delicate, the 2021 Etna Rosso Contrada Monte Serra wafts up nuanced with rose-tinged red fruits and spice. It flows easily across the palate, soft and round, gaining traction through a core of mineral-tinged, tart cherry and strawberry tones. A cranberry crunch lingers along with edgy tannins, yet also a bump of residual acidity that maintains a lovely freshness. This is a beautiful rendition of Monte Serra.”
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Contrada Monte Serra, Etna Rosso DOC — 2021 – James Suckling – 95 Points
“Aromas of fresh plums, peaches and nectarines with some lemon blossom. Some caramel. It’s full-bodied yet stealth with wonderfully fine textured tannins that spread openly across the palate. Oranges at the end with some candied lemons.”