BARBAGALLI Etna Rosso DOC 2017 [Pietradolce] 75cl

Medium Body, Dry (Nerello Mascalese). DOC. Alc 15%.

Flagship wine from organic Mount Etna estate (120 yr old vines).

AIS 5/5; Veronelli 3/3; WA 96; JS 95; TA 93.

TASTING NOTES: Rich nose with notes of ripe cherry, plum and dried strawberries, plus some spices and cedar. Full-bodied elegant wine, with a harmonious palate. Silky from the concentration of old vines, with noticeable yet pleasant tannins and lovely long finish.

Like the 'classic line' Etna Rosso this wine shows some cherry and berry reminiscent of Sangiovese, plus more earthy notes like a Pinot Nero and some floral character that makes you think of Nebbiolo wines.

96 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "[$120 list] This is the top red wine made by Pietradolce, and its striking black label is meant to underline its importance in the estate portfolio. The 2017 Etna Rosso Barbagalli offers a pretty garnet color and a lean to mid-weight approach. Made with fruit from pre-phylloxera vines from one of the highest elevation vineyards in the appellation (at 950 meters above sea level), this is always a study in elegance, and the integrity of the fruit transcends most problematic vintage variations thanks to the hearty resilience of the vines and their extended root systems. This wine shows composure and equilibrium with an incredibly glossy or silky quality of fruit with berry, smoke, tar and campfire ash. That old-vine concentration and power (with 15% alcohol) also comes through clearly. Only 2,500 bottles were released. Drink: 2022-2040. (Oct 2021)"

95 points James Suckling: "Layers of smoke, ash, crushed walnuts and cranberries on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with sleek, tight tannins. Lots of ripe and dried red fruit on the palate with citrus peel and tobacco, too. Precise and tight finish. Lots of old-vine magic here. Drinkable now, but better in two or three years. (12/8/20)"

93 points Wojciech Bonkowski, MW (TimAtkin.com): "Made from 120-year-old vines with prolonged ageing in cask, this very ripe wine shows beefy, savoury tones over a textured fruitiness. An example of Etna at its wildest and grittiest. (2023)"

* Explore other Pietradolce wine, from the classic line Etna Rosso to special selection Archineri, Contrada Santo Spirito or Contrada Rampante ... or why not try the aged Barbagalli 2010 (100 pts James Suckling).

View the vineyard location to get a feel for this special location (on the northern slopes of Etna): click here or view below:

"A model small estate making top-level authentically regional wines from mostly old vines, including several pre-phylloxera parcels" begins the write-up by Master Sommelier John Szabo in his fabulous 2016 book "Volcanic Wines - Salt, Grit and Power".

The passage continues "Michele Faro's grandfather grew grapes and made wine on Etna, and some of the oldest parcels were in family hands, so he got off to a running start in 2005. Vineyards are on the north side, all above 600m: tiny Barbagalli with gnarled centenary bush-trained Nerello Mascalese is the highest and most precious, yielding succulent, spectacularly balanced wines, with endless finish. Cru Archineri is nearly as impressive, also from old vines planted a few metres below Barbagalli. Steely, flinty-mineral Archineri Bianco is from 10-year-old+ Carricante near Milo on Erna's east side. Infinitely drinkable Etna Rosso from younger albarello-trained vines is well proportioned with delicate red fruit. Purpose-made Etna Rosato from 40-year-old trellised vines rounds out the superb range."