In the glass
Aroma: dark cherry, dried rose, graphite, volcanic mineral
Palate: cherry-plum, iron mineral, cedar, firm tannins
Il Picciolo is Tascante's prestige single-vineyard Etna Rosso from old Nerello vines in a specific parcel within the Rampante contrada: the estate's most structured and complex expression.
What it pairs with
-
Grilled lamb rack with wild herb crust
Firm tannins and graphite complexity frame the herb-crusted lamb elegantly. -
Wild mushroom and black truffle pasta
Volcanic mineral and cedar notes create a balanced dialogue with truffle and porcini. -
Aged Sicilian Caciocavallo Silano DOP
Dense structure and mineral intensity balance the rich, smoky aged cheese.
How to serve Tascante Il Picciolo
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. Grilled lamb rack with wild herb crust, Wild mushroom and black truffle pasta, Aged Sicilian Caciocavallo Silano DOP. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Il Picciolo was introduced in 2015 as Tascante's prestige expression, from a specific old-vine parcel within the Rampante contrada. The name refers to the stem of the vine (picciolo) - a reference to the estate's focus on individual vine identity in the contrada.
- 2015 — First Il Picciolo vintage; Tascante's prestige single-vineyard tier established
Facts
- Producer
- Tenuta Tascante (Tasca d'Almerita on Etna)
- Grapes
- Nerello Mascalese
- Classification
- Etna Rosso DOC
- Oak
- 24 months in large Slavonian oak botti
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- €45-70 at retail
- Drinking window
- 6-18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2015
Frequently asked about Tascante Il Picciolo
What does Tascante Il Picciolo taste like?
On the nose, dark cherry, dried rose, graphite, volcanic mineral. On the palate, cherry-plum, iron mineral, cedar, firm tannins. Structurally medium-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a very long, graphite-mineral finish. Il Picciolo is Tascante's prestige single-vineyard Etna Rosso from old Nerello vines in a specific parcel within the Rampante contrada: the estate's most structured and complex expression.
When should I drink Tascante Il Picciolo?
Drink 6-18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Tascante Il Picciolo?
Grilled lamb rack with wild herb crust is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Wild mushroom and black truffle pasta and Aged Sicilian Caciocavallo Silano DOP. Firm tannins and graphite complexity frame the herb-crusted lamb elegantly.
What grapes are in Tascante Il Picciolo?
The blend is Nerello Mascalese. The wine is classified as Etna Rosso DOC.