Terre Nere Etna Rosso Guardiola 2022

Terre Nere Etna Rosso Guardiola 2022 is a striking expression of Mount Etna’s high‑altitude vineyards, crafted from Nerello Mascalese with a touch of Nerello Cappuccio. Sourced from the famed Guardiola cru, one of the highest and steepest contradas on the volcano’s northern slopes, this red marries Burgundian finesse with unmistakable Sicilian character. Volcanic soils, old vines and meticulous organic farming give this wine its tension, depth and remarkable sense of place.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Guardiola shows a luminous, translucent ruby hue with garnet reflections at the rim, typical of Nerello Mascalese from high altitude sites. The nose is detailed and lifted: wild red berries, pomegranate and sour cherry weave together with notes of blood orange, dried rose petals, volcanic ash, graphite, and a faint hint of Mediterranean herbs and spice. On the palate, it is precise and vertical rather than broad, with a refined, almost saline backbone. Crunchy red fruits, cranberry, cherry and red currant are layered with hints of black tea, tobacco leaf, crushed stone and subtle balsamic tones. The tannins are ultra-fine yet firm, giving the wine a taut, linear structure, while the natural acidity from the cool Guardiola site provides energy and length. Still youthful in 2022, it promises to evolve beautifully over 8–12 years, gaining more earth, truffle and savory complexity with time in bottle.

Production
The Guardiola cru sits high on Etna’s northern slope, often between roughly 800 and 1000 meters above sea level, on steep terraces carved into ancient lava flows. The soils are predominantly decomposed volcanic ash, sand and basalt, extremely poor and well‑drained, which naturally limit yields and intensify flavor. Tenuta delle Terre Nere farms these old vineyards organically, harvesting by hand due to the dramatic slopes and carefully sorting the fruit. Fermentation is traditionally minded, typically with gentle extraction to preserve finesse, followed by aging in a mix of neutral and lightly toasted French oak barrels. The result is a transparent translation of Guardiola’s cool, wind‑swept terroir, where elegance and minerality take precedence over sheer power.

Food & Serving
This Etna Rosso is wonderfully versatile at the table, shining with refined yet flavorful dishes. Pair it with grilled or roast lamb, herb‑crusted pork, duck breast, mushroom risotto, truffle dishes, or classic Sicilian fare such as caponata, pasta alla Norma and grilled swordfish with tomato and olives. It also complements aged pecorino, caciocavallo and other semi‑hard cheeses. Serve at around 16–18°C (60–64°F). Decanting for 45–60 minutes in its youth helps the aromatics open and allows the tannins to soften, revealing the wine’s floral, mineral and spicy nuances.

Producer
Tenuta delle Terre Nere is one of the pioneering estates that helped put Etna Rosso on the world wine map. Founded and led by Marco de Grazia, the winery has been instrumental in championing Etna’s historic contrade—single‑vineyard crus such as Guardiola—as distinct terroirs, much like Burgundy’s climats. Working largely with old‑vine Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio on the volcano’s northern slopes, the estate farms organically and emphasizes finesse, purity and a clear expression of site. Over the past two decades, Tenuta delle Terre Nere has become a benchmark producer for Etna and for Sicily as a whole, regularly earning critical acclaim and helping redefine the region as a source of some of Italy’s most nuanced and age‑worthy reds.

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