Pietradolce Archineri Etna Rosso 2020

Drink now or cellar for up to 9 years. No need to decant before serving. Pietradolce’s sublime Archineri is composed of 100% Nerello Mascalese sourced from 80 year old bush vines grown on Etna’s northern slope. Conditions here are excellent for exceptional winemaking thanks to the hot dry days and cooler nights which help to preserve freshness and aromatic complexity in the grapes. Each year the grapes are carefully harvested by hand, vinified and then aged in French oak barrels for 14 months to add polish and subtle spiced notes. The result is a refined, earthy wine with layers of dark berry, sweet spice and bitter herbs which linger long on the palate. The firm tannins and well-built structure will help this wine age gracefully over the next 5-6 years, although it can also be enjoyed now with hearty red meat dishes. Pietradolce was founded in 2005 in the village of Solicchiata on the north-eastern slopes of Mount Etna and has quickly earned a reputation for its expressive wines showcasing local grape varieties. The fusion of traditional winemaking techniques and cutting-edge technology allows them to capture Etna’s special volcanic terroir in a unique way which is reminiscent of the Burgundian approach to quality and authenticity.

Price: £33.56 from 8wines UK