Serra della Contessa Particella, No.587, Etna Rosso DOC Riserva — 2018
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Introduction
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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.
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Vineyard Profile
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After almost twenty years of experience vinifying the well-known Etna Rosso Serra della Contessa, in 2015 Benanti decided to aim for new heights by focusing exclusively on the small, pre-phylloxera portion of the vineyard and extending the wine’s vinification, maturation and refining period to 60 months, thereby creating this new, exclusive Etna Rosso Riserva produced in a very limited quantity.
- Appellation: Etna D.O.C. Rosso Riserva
- Location: Sicily
- Cultivation: Adoption of organic practices
- Vine Age: Up to 100 years old
- Soil: Volcanic sands, rich in minerals, with sub-acid reaction (pH 6.5)
- Exposure: On the South-eastern slope of Mount Etna
- Density: 9,000 - 10,000 vinestocks per hectare (3,644 - 4,049 vines per acre)
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Vintage Report
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Winter was cold with little rain. Spring was warmer than average with some rain. June was dry, similar to summer. July had two weeks of intense heat, with temperatures up to 40 – 43 °C. August had heavy rain on the 15th, followed by isolated hailstorms in the southeast and southwest on the 20th. September began with periodic rain, then stayed hot until the third week, and rain returned at the end of the month. October was primarily rainy, with occasional sunny days.
In summary, the year was challenging and complex for the Etna region, especially during the harvest period due to continuous rain that allowed no break for grape harvesters. Those who managed well in the vineyard and selected the grapes received less wine, but of notable quality. Particularly, the white and rosé for short term, and reds for aging potential.
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Vinification
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The grapes were hand-picked between late September and early October, de-stemmed and softly pressed. Fermentation occurs at a controlled temperature in stainless steel, with a long maceration, with an indigenous yeast selected in the vineyard by Benanti. Maturation mainly occurs in large barrels of French oak (15hl), for at least 24 months.
- Aging: The maturation occurs in large barrels of French oak for about 15 months and then continues in stainless steel tanks. Refining in the bottle for 6-9 months.
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: Nerello Mascalese (85-90%); Nerello Cappuccio (10-15%)
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- TA: 5.15g/L
- p H: 3.64
- RS: 0.3 g/L
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Tasting Notes
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Ruby red with light tints of garnet. Notes of ethereal, intense, with hints of wild berries, spice and noble wood. On the palate, the wine was full, harmonic, mineral, considerably persistent and reasonably tannic.
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Images
Reviews
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Serra della Contessa Particella, No.587, Etna Rosso DOC Riserva — 2018 – James Suckling – 93 Points
"Evolved style with milk-chocolate, meaty and balsamic tones combined with red cherries and red berries. The palate is soft with elegant tannins, crisp acidity and a restrained smokiness in the aftertaste. Very savory yet lacks a bit of energy."
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Serra della Contessa Particella, No.587, Etna Rosso DOC Riserva — 2018 – Wine Spectator – 93 Points
"There's a menthol-laced edge to the warm baked cherry and plum fruit on display in this graceful red. Supple, creamy tannins are seamlessly integrated as fragrant details of tar, iron, singed orange peel and rooibos tea linger on the firm, persistent finish."
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Serra della Contessa Particella, No.587, Etna Rosso DOC Riserva — 2018 – Vinous – 91+ Points
"Dark and dusty, the 2018 Etna Rosso Riserva Serra della Contessa Particella No. 587 wafts up with unexpected richness as plum sauce and cinnamon spice combine with rubbed sage and hints of white smoke. This sweeps across the palate, soft, elegant and medium in body. A saturation of red and blue fruits drenches the palate in primary concentration while edgy tannins tug at the cheeks."