Etna Rosso DOC Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino Tenuta delle Terre Nere 2009

La Tenuta Delle Terre Nere (“domain of the black soils”) was created in 2002 by Marco de Grazia, who had until then worked in the business of selling fine Italian wines since 1980. Situated on the northern slope of Etna, the vineyard obtained organic certification in 2010, though the vines have been cultivated following organic principles since 2002. The vineyard is spread over more than 30 hectares divided into around fifty parcels, at altitudes of between 600 and 1000m. The vines are between 50 and 140 years old and have been cloned using massal selection since 2002. The wines are vinified in barrels and stainless-steel vats with ambient yeasts and the wines then mature in French oak barrels for 16 to 20 months, with a maximum of 10% to 15% new oak. One of the finest producers in the Etna region, producing wines so similar to those found in Burgundy but from Sicily's beautiful terroir.

As the name suggests, this cuvée is produced from prephylloxeric vines, therefore vines that are more than 100 years old. The nose is complex, redolent with aromas of red fruits, flowers and spices. The palate is concentrated, well-balanced and elegant, with a long, lingering finish. The wine would pair well with red meats and game, or even certain cheeses.