Frank Cornelissen Munjebel Rosso MC Monte Colla 2021

Frank Cornelissen Munjebel Rosso MC Monte Colla 2021 is a pure Nerello Mascalese that captures the raw drama of Mount Etna in a single cru expression. Sourced exclusively from the steep, terraced slopes of contrada Monte Colla, it delivers a powerful yet hauntingly elegant red that Cornelissen calls his “Hermitage on Etna.” This bottling stands out for its old-vine concentration, mountain freshness and a sense of place that is unmistakably volcanic and Sicilian.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Munjebel Rosso MC Monte Colla 2021 shows a luminous, transparent ruby to garnet hue, typical of Nerello Mascalese but with extra depth from the old vines. The nose is intense and refined, opening with wild red berries, sour cherry and pomegranate, then unfolding into dried rose petals, blood orange, volcanic ash, warm spices and subtle herbal tones. On the palate, the wine is both structured and graceful: a core of ripe red fruit is wrapped in fine, chalky tannins and vibrant, mouth-watering acidity. Flavors of red currant, cherry, licorice, crushed stone and a faint smokiness echo the vineyard’s proximity to Etna. The finish is long, savory and mineral-driven, with a lingering impression of spice and saline freshness. While already compelling in its youth, this 2021 has the structure and energy to evolve beautifully over 8–12 years, gaining additional complexity and tertiary notes with time in bottle.

Production
The Monte Colla cru is an extraordinarily steep, terraced vineyard facing Mount Etna, exposed to abundant sun and cooling mountain winds. Here, old Nerello Mascalese vines planted in 1946 dig deep into sand-and-clay-based volcanic soils, giving naturally low yields and exceptional concentration. Fruit is typically harvested by hand to preserve berry integrity and to allow a strict selection in the vineyard. In the cellar, Frank Cornelissen is known for his minimal-intervention philosophy: fermentations are spontaneous with native yeasts, extraction is carefully managed to emphasize finesse over power, and the wine is aged in neutral vessels to preserve purity of fruit and terroir expression, with minimal added sulfur at bottling.

Food & Serving
Munjebel Rosso MC Monte Colla 2021 is a brilliant match for refined yet flavorful dishes such as grilled lamb chops, roast pork with herbs, duck breast, mushroom risotto, or Sicilian classics like caponata and grilled swordfish with tomato and olives. It also pairs beautifully with aged cheeses and dishes featuring Mediterranean herbs and earthy components. Serve at 16–18°C (about 60–64°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and fine tannins. Decant for 45–60 minutes in its youth to let the wine open up fully and reveal its layered, volcanic character.

Producer
Frank Cornelissen is one of the most influential and distinctive producers on Mount Etna, renowned for his uncompromising, terroir-driven approach and commitment to expressing the volcano’s unique personality. Based on Etna’s northern slopes, he works predominantly with old-vine Nerello Mascalese, cultivating high-altitude vineyards often on dramatic, terraced sites. Cornelissen was an early pioneer of low-intervention, site-specific bottlings on Etna, helping to redefine the region’s reputation on the world stage. His Munjebel series, and particularly the single-contrada wines like Monte Colla, are highly sought after for their purity, energy and transparent expression of place.

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