In the glass
Aroma: morello cherry, pomegranate, violets, charcoal
Palate: dark cherry, graphite, leather, volcanic stone
Benanti's top-tier Etna Rosso from the Serra della Contessa contrada at 700 metres: concentrated, structured, and among the most age-worthy expressions of Nerello Mascalese on the volcano.
What it pairs with
-
Bistecca alla siciliana with charcoal herbs
Graphite and charcoal notes in the wine mirror the char; firm tannins cut the meat. -
Wild mushroom risotto nero
Volcanic minerality and earthy mushroom create a compelling umami resonance. -
Aged Ragusano cheese
The wine's structure balances the hard cheese's intensity.
History
Serra della Contessa is sourced from Benanti's oldest Nerello Mascalese vines in the contrada of the same name on the south-east slope of Etna. The wine was created to represent the most complex and age-worthy expression of the estate, and is released only in the best vintages.
- 1998 — First Serra della Contessa vintage; declassified to IGT in weaker years
Facts
- Producer
- Benanti Viticoltori
- Grapes
- Nerello Mascalese (80%), Nerello Cappuccio (20%)
- Classification
- Etna Rosso DOC
- Oak
- 18 months in 500-litre tonneaux
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- €55-80 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8-25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1998