Benanti Etna Rosso 2019

THE HISTORY

The Benanti winery was founded in 1988 on the northern slope of Mount Etna. The family were one of first to truly believe in viticulture here on the mountain. Although the Etna DOC appellation was longstanding, nobody had really made high-quality fine wine on it. Driven by a love of the local terroir and indigenous grape varieties, Giuseppe Benanti set about making his game-changing wine. Benanti is now one of the most respected names in Sicilian wine.

TASTING NOTE

The wine has a pale ruby red color. The nose is ethereal and intense with hints of red fruits. The palate is dry and mineral with pleasant acidity and salinity, persistent and harmonious. A versatile wine that can be paired with red meats and cheeses but also with fish or white meats. Very suitable for by-the-glass consumption.

FOOD PAIRING

This Southern Italy red wine pairs best with beef, pasta, lamb

AWARD-WINNING

• Wine Advocate: 91 points 

The 2017 Etna Rosso (made with 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio) offers a very smoky and ashy bouquet that tells you, without any doubt, that this is a wine from the mighty Etna volcano.

An explosive eruption of rose petal, violets, blueberries, cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry, orange zest, leather, peppery biltong, vanilla, earth and sea salt. This red is the kind of classic Etna Rosso – with its elegance, intensity and medium body – that gives Burgundy a run for its money. A wonderful partner to pappardelle with wild mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, game and truffles.

“Benanti’s wine making history is synonymous with Etna wine making history. In fact, the hard work and excellent wines produced at this historic winery are what catapulted this unknown part of Sicily to the oenological forefront. Benanti’s wines are among the best made on the volcano today.” – Wine Advocate

• Wine Spectator: 90 Points & #96 Top 100 Wines of 2019 

A medium-bodied red, with a crisp tannic frame, this offers bright raspberry and strawberry fruit, revealing an underlay of fresh earth, spice and dried herb notes. Bright and elegant. Drink now through 2024. 6,250 cases made, 4,000 cases imported.

• Wine Enthusiast: 91 Points

Rose petal and light berry aromas blur and soften the lines of those pretty mineral notes that are so strong at the beginning. Blue violets and blueberries are delicate accents that fill out the close. This vintage really pulls it all together nicely, a great pairing for pappardelle with wild chanterelle mushrooms.