Frank Cornelissen Munjebel Rosso CR Contrada Campo Re 2021

Frank Cornelissen’s Munjebel Rosso CR Contrada Campo Re 2021 is a pure Nerello Mascalese that captures the most contemplative, structured side of Etna’s north slope. Sourced from the high-altitude Campo Re vineyard at the entrance to Randazzo, this single-contrada bottling is known for its depth, grip, and almost Barolo-like poise. In Cornelissen’s lineup, Campo Re is the cru that speaks with the quietest voice at first, but with the greatest seriousness and aging promise.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Munjebel Rosso CR 2021 shows a luminous, transparent ruby garnet with a slight brick-tinged rim, typical of Nerello Mascalese grown at altitude. The nose opens slowly, revealing wild red berries, sour cherry, rose petals, dried herbs, and blood orange, layered with ferrous minerality, balsamic notes, and hints of sweet tobacco and spice as it gets air. On the palate, this is firm, vertical, and tightly woven, more reminiscent of Nebbiolo from great Piedmont sites than of a typical sun-drenched southern Italian red. The fruit is red-toned and restrained rather than lush—think red currant, pomegranate, and cranberry—wrapped in fine but assertive tannins and a savory, stony backbone. High, saline acidity gives it energy and precision, while subtle smoke and volcanic earth linger on a long, tactile finish. Still youthful and somewhat introverted in 2021, this wine has excellent aging potential; it should develop beautifully over 10–15 years, gaining complexity, texture, and tertiary nuances of truffle, leather, and dried flowers.

Production
Contrada Campo Re lies at around 735 meters above sea level on Etna’s north side, at the valley floor near the entrance to Randazzo. Here, deep, fertile volcanic soils and the cooler, high-altitude climate create a late-ripening site where achieving full phenolic maturity can be challenging in wetter years—but when it happens, the results are profound. The vineyard is partially ungrafted, a rarity that allows Nerello Mascalese to express a particularly pure connection to its volcanic terroir. Frank Cornelissen farms organically with a strong minimalist and nature-focused philosophy, often described as more than just “natural” wine: meticulous vineyard work, low yields, and manual harvesting at optimal ripeness. In the cellar, fermentation is spontaneous with indigenous yeasts, typically in neutral vessels, and the wine macerates on the skins to build structure and extract fine tannins. Aging is carried out in inert containers (such as epoxy-lined tanks or neutral vessels) to avoid oak flavoring, with minimal interventions and a restrained use of sulfur, allowing the contrada character to shine through.

Food & Serving
This structured, deeply mineral Etna Rosso calls for equally thoughtful food. It is superb with game birds, lamb, veal, and slow-braised dishes such as ossobuco or beef cheeks, as well as with mushroom-based plates, truffle pasta, and aged, hard cheeses. Its Nebbiolo-like tannins and high acidity also make it a great match for rich ragù, grilled meats, and earthy vegetable dishes like roasted root vegetables or lentil stews. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to keep the aromatics lifted and the structure in balance. Decanting is strongly recommended—at least 1–2 hours for a young bottle—to help the wine unfurl its layered aromatics and soften the formidable tannic frame.

Producer
Frank Cornelissen is one of Mount Etna’s most influential and pioneering producers, renowned for pushing the boundaries of what volcanic Sicilian terroir can express. A former wine merchant from Belgium, Cornelissen settled on Etna in the early 2000s, captivated by the mountain’s ancient vineyards, ungrafted vines, and extreme landscapes. From the outset, he embraced a rigorously low-intervention approach: meticulous, often manual vineyard work, organic farming, and a philosophy of doing as little as possible in the cellar while maintaining very high standards of cleanliness and precision. His Munjebel and Magma bottlings have become benchmarks for Etna and for natural-leaning fine wine globally, helping to elevate the region from relative obscurity to one of Italy’s most exciting and sought-after wine areas. Contrada-specific wines like Campo Re underscore his belief that Etna’s volcanic slopes deserve to be read with the same granularity and respect given to the great crus of Burgundy or Barolo.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.