Profile

Structure

Bodymedium
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 6 to 22 years from vintage.

vintage6 yrs22 yrs24 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 acidityDryVery Long, Chalky-Mineral finish

Aroma: black cherry, pomegranate, lavender, smoked stone

Palate: dark plum, graphite, dried violet, volcanic earth

The Guardiola contrada yields the densest, most structured cuvée in the Terre Nere single-vineyard range: darker fruit, greater density, and a long mineral-chalky finish.

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 Tenuta delle Terre Nere 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. Slow-braised beef cheeks with Marsala, Wild boar pappardelle, Hard aged Caciocavallo Ragusano. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Guardiola is the highest-altitude contrada in the Terre Nere portfolio, at approximately 900 metres on the north slope. The vineyard's pre-war Nerello vines on sandy volcanic soils produce the estate's most concentrated and long-lived wine, often regarded as the top cuvee in the range.

  1. 2003First Guardiola vintage alongside Calderara Sottana and San Lorenzo

Facts

Producer
Tenuta delle Terre Nere · visiting guide
Grapes
Nerello Mascalese (95%), Nerello Cappuccio (5%)
Classification
Etna Rosso DOC
Oak
18 months in large Slavonian oak botti (30 hl)
ABV
13.5%
Price
€55-80 at retail
Drinking window
6-22 from vintage
First vintage
2003

Frequently asked about Tenuta delle Terre Nere Guardiola

What does Tenuta delle Terre Nere Guardiola taste like?

On the nose, black cherry, pomegranate, lavender, smoked stone. On the palate, dark plum, graphite, dried violet, volcanic earth. Structurally medium-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a very long, chalky-mineral finish. The Guardiola contrada yields the most powerful and structured of the Terre Nere single-vineyard range: darker fruit, greater density, and a long mineral-chalky finish.

When should I drink Tenuta delle Terre Nere Guardiola?

Drink 6-22 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Tenuta delle Terre Nere Guardiola?

Slow-braised beef cheeks with Marsala is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Wild boar pappardelle and Hard aged Caciocavallo Ragusano. The wine's density and graphite structure match the rich braise; Marsala echoes the volcanic character.

What grapes are in Tenuta delle Terre Nere Guardiola?

The blend is Nerello Mascalese (95%), Nerello Cappuccio (5%). The wine is classified as Etna Rosso DOC.

Tags

cellar worthy dry firm tannin high acid iconic medium body mood bold mood contemplative nerello cappuccio nerello mascalese occasion cellar occasion gift 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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