2021 Benanti Etna Rosso 'Contrada Dafara Galluzzo,' Sicily

Winemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800s in Viagrande. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988. Vineyards Contrada Dafara Galluzzo, on the North slope of Mount Etna, within the territory of Rovittello, Castiglione di Sicilia (CT). This contrada is historically extremely suited to grow Nerello Mascalese.

Grapes are hand-picked during the 4th week of October, de-stemmed, and softly pressed. Fermentation occurs at a controlled temperature in stainless steel vats, with a c. 21-day long maceration, using a specific indigenous yeast selected in the vineyard by Benanti. The maturation then continues in used tonneaux of French oak for about 12 months and then in stainless steel tanks.

"The 2021 Etna Rosso Contrada Dafara Galluzzo is exotic and floral, with a burst of ashen stone and dusty rose giving way to dried black cherries. Silky and soothing, it flows across the palate with a pure blend of red and blue fruits propelled by juicy acidity. This finishes structured and long yet perfumed, leaving violet and lavender tones to fade over a bed of fine grained tannins. The Dafara Galluzzo is a real charmer, (VM, 94 points)".