Profile

Structure

Bodymedium
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 5 to 18 years from vintage.

vintage5 yrs18 yrs20 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 above is our own.

In the glass

Medium-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong, Mineral-Iron finish

Aroma: dark cherry, incense, volcanic ash, dried rose

Palate: cherry-plum, iron, graphite, firm tannin

Alta Mora's premium single-contrada Etna Rosso from the celebrated Guardiola contrada: the estate's most structured and mineral expression from high-altitude old-vine Nerello Mascalese.

What it pairs with

With cheese

Maiorchino Our pick Maiorchino is delicate for a pecorino when young and turns piquant, ageing from about 8 months to as long as 24. Etna Rosso crus bring firm tannin, high acidity and dark cherry depth, the structure for an old, sharp wheel.

How to serve Alta Mora Etna Rosso Guardiola

Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Grilled lamb with wild herbs, Braised oxtail with tomato and olives, Aged Ragusano with black olives. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Alta Mora added a single-contrada Guardiola bottling in 2016 to complement the estate red, drawing on old Nerello Mascalese vines in this celebrated high-altitude contrada. The wine positions Alta Mora alongside the premium single-vineyard Etna Rosso tier at an accessible price point.

  1. 2016First Alta Mora Guardiola single-contrada vintage

Facts

Producer
Alta Mora by Cusumano (Etna) · visiting guide
Grapes
Nerello Mascalese
Classification
Etna Rosso DOC
Oak
20 months in large Slavonian oak botti
ABV
14.0%
Price
€45-70 at retail
Drinking window
5-18 from vintage
First vintage
2016

Frequently asked about Alta Mora Etna Rosso Guardiola

What does Alta Mora Etna Rosso Guardiola taste like?

On the nose, dark cherry, incense, volcanic ash, dried rose. On the palate, cherry-plum, iron, graphite, firm tannin. Structurally medium-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long, mineral-iron finish. Alta Mora's premium single-contrada Etna Rosso from the celebrated Guardiola contrada: the estate's most structured and mineral expression from high-altitude old-vine Nerello Mascalese.

When should I drink Alta Mora Etna Rosso Guardiola?

Drink 5-18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Alta Mora Etna Rosso Guardiola?

Grilled lamb with wild herbs is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Braised oxtail with tomato and olives and Aged Ragusano with black olives. Firm tannins and mineral depth pair naturally with the gamey, herb-scented lamb.

What grapes are in Alta Mora Etna Rosso Guardiola?

The blend is Nerello Mascalese. The wine is classified as Etna Rosso DOC.

Tags

cellar worthy dry firm tannin high acid medium body mood bold mood contemplative nerello mascalese occasion cellar occasion special old vines old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with game pairs with red meat price premium single vineyard still red

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