In the glass
Aroma: wild cherry, dried rose, volcanic ash, tobacco
Palate: tart cherry, iron, dried herbs, smoky mineral
From Rovittello on the north slope, this Benanti red shows the classic Etna paradox: light ruby colour but profound mineral depth, firm tannins and soaring acidity demanding patient cellaring.
What it pairs with
-
Braised rabbit with rosemary and olives
Firm tannins and herb savouriness complement the gamey richness. -
Pork sausage alla siciliana
The wine's iron-and-cherry profile cuts through pork fat cleanly. -
Caponata di melanzane
Sweet-and-sour aubergine echoes the wine's tart cherry acidity.
History
Rovittello is the north-slope contrada where Benanti farms pre-phylloxera Nerello Mascalese on alberello-trained vines. The cuvee was one of the first single-contrada Etna Rosso bottlings, predating the wave of single-vineyard bottlings that defined the Etna renaissance in the 2000s.
- 1993 — First Rovittello vintage, among Sicily's earliest single-contrada Etna Rosso releases
Facts
- Producer
- Benanti Viticoltori
- Grapes
- Nerello Mascalese (90%), Nerello Cappuccio (10%)
- Classification
- Etna Rosso DOC
- Oak
- 24 months in large Slavonian oak botti
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- €35-50 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1993