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Structure
Drinking window
Best 8 to 25 years from vintage.
vintage8 yrs25 yrs27 yrs
Critic scores
No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.
In the glass
Aroma: morello cherry, pomegranate, violets, charcoal
Palate: dark cherry, graphite, leather, volcanic stone
Benanti's prestige Etna Rosso from the Serra della Contessa contrada at 700 metres: concentrated, structured, with notable bottle ageing potential for Nerello Mascalese.
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.
How to serve Benanti Serra della Contessa
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Bistecca alla siciliana with charcoal herbs, Wild mushroom risotto nero, Aged Ragusano cheese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
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 · visiting guide
- 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
Frequently asked about Benanti Serra della Contessa
What does Benanti Serra della Contessa taste like?
On the nose, morello cherry, pomegranate, violets, charcoal. On the palate, dark cherry, graphite, leather, volcanic stone. Structurally medium-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a very long, mineral-chalky finish. 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.
When should I drink Benanti Serra della Contessa?
Drink 8-25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Benanti Serra della Contessa?
Bistecca alla siciliana with charcoal herbs is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Wild mushroom risotto nero and Aged Ragusano cheese. Graphite and charcoal notes in the wine mirror the char; firm tannins cut the meat.
What grapes are in Benanti Serra della Contessa?
The blend is Nerello Mascalese (80%), Nerello Cappuccio (20%). The wine is classified as Etna Rosso DOC.
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