In the glass
Aroma: dark cherry, incense, chalky mineral, dried flowers
Palate: graphite, dark plum, volcanic stone, dried violets
From the Barbabecchi contrada at higher elevation than Arcuria, this Graci red is the most structured and demanding of the range: dense, chalky, and extraordinarily long-lived.
What it pairs with
-
Slow-braised oxtail with tomato and olives
The wine's density and firm tannins call for the richest, most gelatinous meat dishes. -
Black truffle pasta
Chalky mineral depth and incense notes resonate with black truffle's earthiness. -
Aged Parmigiano at 30+ months
Dense tannins and high acidity balance the crystalline, sharp aged cheese.
History
Barbabecchi is Graci's second single-contrada bottling, added to the range in 2010 from a higher-altitude plot than Arcuria. The site's cooler temperatures and older soils produce a more structured and austere expression, considered by many critics the estate's most age-worthy wine.
- 2010 — First Barbabecchi vintage, expanding the Graci single-contrada range
Facts
- Producer
- Graci
- Grapes
- Nerello Mascalese
- Classification
- Etna Rosso DOC
- Oak
- 18 months in large Slavonian oak botti
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- €55-85 at retail
- Drinking window
- 6-22 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2010