Contrada Rinazzo, Etna Bianco DOC Superiore — 2022
-
Introduction
-
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: Vineyards in Contrada Rinazzo, on the Eastern slope of Mount Etna within the territory of Milo (CT). The contrada is particularly well-known for its elevation (approximately 800 m a.s.l. / 2,600 ft a.s.l.), abundant luminosity, continuous ventilation and exposure to the sea.
-
-
Vineyard Profile
- Appellation: Etna D.O.C. Bianco Superiore
- Location: Sicily
- Cultivation: Sustainable
- Vine Age: Young vines, head-trained, short-pruned bush vines (“alberello”) grown on small terraces with dry lava-stone walls
- Soil: Volcanic sands, rich in minerals, with sub-acid reaction (pH 6.5)
- Density: 8,000 vinestocks per hectare (3,239 vines per acre)
-
Vinification
-
Grapes are hand-picked after mid-October, de-stemmed and softly pressed. Fermentation occurs for about 12 days at a controlled temperature in stainless steel, using a specific indigenous yeast selected in the vineyard by Benanti. The wine matures in stainless steel tanks on the fine lees for about 12 months, with frequent stirrings.
- Aging: Stainless steel tanks on the fine lees for 12 months, with frequent stirrings. In the bottle for 6 months.
-
-
Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: Carricante
Images
Reviews
-
Contrada Rinazzo, Etna Bianco DOC Superiore — 2022 – Wine Spectator – 92 Points
"A structured white, offering rapier-like acidity tightly meshed with flavors of crunchy white peach, green almond, crushed pine, lemon wax and petrol. There's good tension and focus; this should open nicely with short-term cellaring."
-
Contrada Rinazzo, Etna Bianco DOC Superiore — 2022 – Vinous – 93 Points
"A burst of flinty stone and smoke gives way to minty herbs and crushed green apples as the 2022 Etna Bianco Superiore Contrada Rinazzo blossoms in the glass. It washes across the palate with textures of pure silk as saline minerals saturate and citrus-tinged orchard fruits cascade throughout. The 2022 keeps the energy remarkably high, excited by zesty acidity as hints of sour grapefruit curl the tongue throughout the long and youthfully tense finale. The Rinazzo is enjoyable today, but it also possesses a balance that will reward cellaring. Beautifully done."