Territories & Wineries

Eruzione 1614 Nerello Mascalese

Sicilia D.O.C.

100% Nerello Mascalese

The history of the volcano is marked by the eruptions which have shaped it. That of 1614 is legendary; it lasted for 10 years, the longest ever recorded. The vines which produce this wine grow on this actual lava flow. Nerello Mascalese grown on these black soils at a height, for an intensely aromatic red wine with an elegant structure.

Awards

2018	Wine Advocate Robert Parker	93
	Wine Enthusiast	92
	Falstaff	92
	WinesCritic.com	91
	Vinous	90
	Wine Spectator	90
	Jancis Robinson	17,5
2017	James Suckling	96
	Wine Enthusiast	95
	Wine Advocate Robert Parker	92
	Vinous	92
	Jancis Robinson	17,5
2016	WinesCritics.com	93
	James Suckling	92
	Wine Enthusiast	92
	Wine Spectator	91
	Wine Advocate Robert Parker	91
	Falstaff	91
	Vinous	91
	Jancis Robinson	17,5
	Merano Wine Festival	Wine Hunter Award ROSSO
2014	James Suckling	93
	Wine Advocate Robert Parker	92
	Wine Enthusiast	91
	Wine Spectator	90
	Jancis Robinson	17,5
2013	James Suckling	93
	Wine Spectator	89
	Vinous	89
	Jancis Robinson	17,5
	Radici del Sud	Primo classificato Giuria Buyer - Gruppo Misto vini Rossi del sud
2012	Wine Advocate Robert Parker	93
	Wine Enthusiast	92
	Wine Spectator	89
	Decanter World Wine Awards	Bronze
	Jancis Robinson	17+
2011	James Suckling	92
	Falstaff	92
	Jancis Robinson	17+
	I vini di Veronelli	Grande Esordio
2010	Wine Enthusiast	91

Go to Territory of Etna

Altimetry

510/850

Above sea level

Climate

21°Average temperature

Farming system

Spurred cordon and alberello

Planting density

5.000/10.000 vines per hectare

Now

12.83°C

Cloudiness	0%
Humidity	89%
Wind	2.17mh ↓↙

First Vintage

2010

See vintages

2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2016

The climatic conditions prevailing during the 2010 harvest were particularly favourable. In 2009 the autumn finished with abundant rainfall, ideal for setting the vines to rest. The winter had normal temperatures and not too much rain. The spring was also average, with rain at the end. The summer began with cooler temperatures until the middle of August, when the temperature then rose to assist perfect ripening. Around 20th September rain assisted the harvest at Vittoria. On the other hand the beginning of summer on Etna was fairly dry but the rains at the end of September were useful and prolonged the harvest until 21st October. Might 2010 be one of the best vintages out of the previous ten? It is early to say but it is certainly a super vintage.
The 2011 vintage yielded perfectly healthy grapes, if in noticeably diminished quantities. Indeed quantity as well as size of the harvested fruit was reduced by 15% on the average, which means also a decrease in total weight. In any case this resulted in an exceptionally high overall quality, especially of the red grapes which profited greatly by this natural and thus perfect thinning out. The temperatures stayed in the average range and, more importantly, showed no heat spikes. Both September and October were mild, and sporadic rainfalls at the end of the season accomplished the vintage. Etna Volcano: The work we have invested during the past years in the Mount Etna vineyards is now bearing its rewards. The vintage at any rate was surprising; it began in the last days of October and ended in November - never before have we harvested this late. The Carricante variety is mineral and subtle, the Nerello Mascalese presents great autumnal touches.
The harvest was completed on October 12th, earlier than usual. In general, the grapes are extraordinarily healthy thanks to the lack of rainfall near the harvest. The amount is 10% higher compared to the 2011 vintage that was particularly poor, about 5% below average. Mount Etna The harvest seems to have a tremendous potential and we will be able to know more next year. Undoubtedly, this year the usual elegance of these wines grown on the volcano will give way to the power of the alcohol and tannins. However, this vintage seems to be characterized by wines with an above-average quality. The grapes are healthy and perfectly intact. This is definitely important for a mountain harvest, which by its very nature tends towards the rainy season.
It would be hard to imagine two harvests more different than those of 2012 and 2013. After the hot wines of last year, we have perhaps returned to a vintage more in the ‘Etna style’. A long dry summer, but not too hot, just perfect. However we did need the September rains, and the rain arrived and never seemed to finish! We waited patiently, and then a miracle arrived. On 15th October a sort of Indian Summer arrived and completely turned the vintage around. On Etna it is essential to harvest late to ensure the quality of the reds. It seems early to say but it seems that the whites indicate minerals and Nerello its variety.
After a first analysis, the differences as compared with the data of the last ten years seem less evident as compared with the other zones. In general, on Etna we recorded a very substantial vintage, better for whites than for reds, with rich and complex wines. The weather data to be highlighted are above all a dry summer which kept us on tenterhooks until the arrival of the decisive rains in September. The true difference was made, in the course of the year, by the evapotranspiration that recorded the highest values for the period, surpassed only by 2012, and here too by an important period of light in September. So a very linear vintage, without any shocks from a weather standpoint, ideal for the perfect ripening of the whites and functional for the reds.
On Etna, as already mentioned, the 2016 vintage has absolutely been our very best since we began our activities on the volcano. It has been so for the white wines and also for our conception of the reds. The reasons are easy to see given the meteorological conditions; the summer was cool and refreshed by a useful rainfall, with very pleasant temperatures. Thus we arrived at the end of September in an idyllic situation for the growth/production balance and health of the grapes. The harvest, thanks to the stress-free summer, began with spectacular grapes and commenced about eight days early, allowing us to bring forward the end of the harvest thus avoiding the rains of the second half of October. The results are a fresh and aromatic Carricante and a Nerello Mascalese of great quality, without the excessive alcohol which is a defining feature in certain vintages, but with brilliant colour and ample tannins.

Time of Harvest

october

Vinification

The grapes are picked into crates and immediately refrigerated at 10⁰C, then selected by hand; after destalking they ferment at 25⁰C in stainless steel vats, remaining on the skins for 21 days, with short stirrings; they are pressed softly with the vertical press, followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, the wine thus obtained matures in oak barrels for 12 months