{"product_id":"pietradolce-etna-rosso-barbagalli-2018","title":"Pietradolce Etna Rosso Barbagalli 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003ePietradolce Etna Rosso Barbagalli 2018 is one of Mount Etna’s most coveted expressions of Nerello Mascalese, crafted from ancient, pre-phylloxera vines on the volcano’s northern slopes. This is a profound, site-driven red that combines Burgundian finesse with the wild, mineral intensity only Etna can deliver. A collector’s wine with very limited production, it captures a singular moment in a remarkable vineyard and vintage.\n\nSourced from the legendary Barbagalli cru, this Etna Rosso stands out for its extreme old vines, dramatic altitude and pitch-black volcanic soils, which together produce a wine of remarkable perfume, precision and longevity. Nerello Mascalese has been grown on Etna for centuries, but wines like Barbagalli have been instrumental in putting the region back on the world map as one of Italy’s most exciting fine-wine zones.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2018 Barbagalli Etna Rosso shows a luminous, transparent ruby garnet hue, almost weightless in color yet intensely vivid, with a fine, pale rim hinting at its refinement and age-worthy structure. Swirl the glass and you’ll notice elegant legs, belying a core of concentration.\n\nThe nose is wonderfully lifted and complex: red cherries, wild strawberries and pomegranate are layered with blood orange peel, rose petals and dried violets. Underneath the fruit, nuances of crushed volcanic rock, flint, sweet spices, tobacco leaf and a faint note of Mediterranean herbs emerge with air. There’s a distinct smoky-mineral edge that speaks clearly of Etna’s volcanic origin.\n\nOn the palate, the wine is silken and precise, with a medium body that feels almost feather-light yet intensely flavored. Fine, chalky tannins frame pure red berry fruit, sour cherry and redcurrant, joined by notes of orange zest, licorice, black tea and subtle savory tones. The acidity is vibrant and vertical, giving the wine impressive tension and length, while the mineral backbone leaves a long, saline finish that lingers with notes of granite dust and dried flowers.\n\nThe 2018 vintage offers both approachability and structure: it is already expressive after some aeration, but has the balance, tannin finesse and acidity to evolve beautifully in the cellar. Properly stored, it should develop more truffle, leather and forest floor complexity over 10–15 years, and likely beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBarbagalli is Pietradolce’s crown-jewel vineyard, located on the northern slope of Mount Etna at high altitude, where days are sun-drenched and nights are markedly cool. The vines are ungrafted, pre-phylloxera Nerello Mascalese, many over a century old, planted as traditional bush vines (alberello) in lava-rich, sandy volcanic soils that ensure excellent drainage and impart a distinct mineral character. Yields are naturally very low, concentrating flavor and structure. Harvest is carried out entirely by hand, typically in small baskets, with strict selection of bunches in the vineyard and again in the cellar. Vinification respects the delicacy of the fruit: gentle crushing, long maceration on the skins and fermentation with careful temperature control, often with a significant proportion of whole berries to preserve aromatic lift and finesse. Aging usually takes place in large, neutral oak (and\/or well-seasoned tonneaux) to allow the terroir and varietal character to shine, followed by further bottle rest before release.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePietradolce Etna Rosso Barbagalli 2018 is a versatile fine-dining partner, at its best with refined, savory dishes rather than heavy sauces. Think roast lamb with herbs, pigeon or game birds, veal chops, suckling pig, or slow-cooked pork shoulder with fennel and citrus. It is also excellent with earthy dishes such as porcini risotto, truffle-based recipes, roasted root vegetables, and aged, hard cheeses like Pecorino, aged Ragusano or Parmigiano Reggiano. Serve at 16–18°C to highlight its aromatic complexity and freshness—slightly cooler than many full-bodied reds. Decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended in its youth to allow the wine to open fully; older bottles should be handled more gently, with a shorter decant to preserve delicate tertiary aromas.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFounded in 2005, Pietradolce has quickly become one of Etna’s benchmark producers, known for its focus on indigenous varieties and high-altitude, old-vine parcels. The estate is based in Solicchiata on the northern slope of Mount Etna, an area historically prized for its balance of sunlight, altitude and volcanic soils. Pietradolce has played a key role in showcasing Nerello Mascalese as one of Italy’s great noble red grapes, capable of elegance and longevity comparable to top wines from Piedmont and Burgundy. The Barbagalli vineyard is the estate’s most iconic asset, a rare surviving pre-phylloxera site that has garnered critical acclaim and high ratings from leading wine publications, cementing Pietradolce’s reputation as one of Sicily’s most important and sought-after producers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pietradolce","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54255212429649,"sku":"XW-43334","price":261.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/pietradolce-etna-rosso-barbagalli-2018_43334_1_139310ad-093b-4c03-aa89-126567e29bee.webp?v=1783457435","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/pietradolce-etna-rosso-barbagalli-2018","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}