Frank Cornelissen Munjebel Rosso FM 2021

Frank Cornelissen Munjebel Rosso FM 2021 is a single-contrada Nerello Mascalese from the lower part of Feudo di Mezzo on the northern slopes of Etna. Drawn from a site known for its unusual finesse, it offers a distinctly Burgundian sense of elegance and roundness, even in warmer vintages. This cuvée captures the tension between depth and delicacy that has made Etna one of Italy’s most compelling fine-wine regions.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Munjebel Rosso FM 2021 shows a luminous, semi-transparent ruby with garnet highlights, echoing the look of fine Pinot Noir rather than a more muscular southern Italian red. The nose is refined and mineral-driven, with notes of red cherry, wild strawberry, pomegranate and blood orange layered over dried rose petals, sweet spices, crushed volcanic rock and a subtle earthy, smoky edge. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, silky and finely etched, with juicy red fruit, delicate herbal tones and a pronounced saline-mineral backbone. Tannins are ultra-fine and chalky, giving structure without hardness, while bright, linear acidity keeps the wine vibrant and precise from start to finish. The finish is long, savoury and nuanced, showing hints of tea leaf, citrus peel and iron-tinged stone. Enjoyable now with a short decant, it has the balance and structure to evolve beautifully over the next 8–10 years, gaining in complexity and tertiary nuances.

Production
Feudo di Mezzo is a broad contrada situated in a valley floor on Etna’s cooler northern side, with relatively deep, well-drained volcanic soils that can pose challenges in wetter vintages but reward with depth and refinement in balanced years. The lower portion of the cru (sottana) is carefully separated from the upper part to preserve its distinct character of elegance over sheer power. Old-vine Nerello Mascalese is hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, with strict selection both in the vineyard and at the cellar. Fermentation typically occurs with indigenous yeasts, often with a significant proportion of whole clusters, in neutral vessels to avoid masking the terroir, followed by aging in inert containers (such as large neutral barrels or epoxy-lined tanks) to maintain purity, texture and the wine’s signature Burgundian finesse.

Food & Serving
Munjebel Rosso FM 2021 is a versatile, gastronomic red that shines with refined dishes rather than heavy sauces. Try it with grilled or roast lamb, herb-crusted pork, duck breast, game birds, mushroom risotto, truffled dishes or simply prepared veal and rabbit. It also works beautifully with mature, semi-hard cheeses and charcuterie where its acidity and minerality can cut through fat. Serve at 14–16°C, slightly cooler than a typical full-bodied red, to highlight its freshness and aromatic nuance. A 30–60 minute decant is recommended in its youth to open the bouquet and soften the tannins.

Producer
Frank Cornelissen is one of the most influential and widely discussed producers on Mount Etna, known for his uncompromising, terroir-driven approach and a strong commitment to minimal intervention. A Belgian by birth, Cornelissen settled on Etna in the early 2000s, long before the region’s current fame, drawn by its ancient bush-vine vineyards and stark volcanic landscapes. Working at high elevations on the volcano’s northern slopes, he focuses on Nerello Mascalese and other local varieties, bottling them by contrada to express the individuality of each site. Over the years, his wines have helped define modern Etna as a world-class fine-wine region, earning a dedicated following among sommeliers and collectors for their purity, energy and unmistakable sense of place.

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