Pietradolce Contrada Santo Spirito Etna Rosso 2019

James Suckling
91/100 punten
I like the juxtaposition of fruit and mineral on the nose. On the palate there’s slightly challenging acidity that is a distraction, but the fruit pushes through to the finish, riding lightly firm tannins. Drink now.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
94/100 punten
The Pietradolce 2019 Etna Rosso Contrada Santo Spirito sees grapes sourced from ancient, knotted pre-phylloxera Nerello Mascalese vines. The wine is well balanced with lots of fruit and ashy spice. It immediately reminds you of the striking volcanic environment from which it comes. The tannins on this wine are fine and polished. Production is 4,000 bottles.

I met Michele Faro last summer at his estate, and although I have visited the winery many times in the past, there always seems to be something new to admire in terms of winery equipment or art installations. What doesn't change is the beauty and majesty of the high-elevation vineyards located just above the modern winery on a dusty path. Michele Faro farms some of the most beautiful vineyards on the volcano, with ancient, pre-phylloxera vines protected in a little amphitheater surrounded by lava rock walls. This is not an old winery, but it is entering a chapter in which it can present some older vintages from the library. We tasted four wines to get a better sense of the aging potential of Carricante and Nerello Mascalese. Specifically, we tasted the 2014 and 2016 Etna Bianco Archineri, the 2007 Etna Rosso Archineri and the 2010 Etna Rosso Barbagalli. You will find my notes in this report. Pietradolce is also introducing a new wine, the 2019 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo.

Decanter
94/100 punten
I like the juxtaposition of fruit and mineral on the nose. On the palate there’s slightly challenging acidity that is a distraction, but the fruit pushes through to the finish, riding lightly firm tannins. Drink now.

‘In my opinion, this is the more Burgundian of our crus,’ said owner, Michele Faro during my visit to the winery. Contrada Santo Spirito is located about 2km from the winery in Passopisciaro, where he owns 4ha on a flatter, windy site at 900m. One hectare comprises 90-year-old pre-phylloxera vines which were discovered under the weeds, which the team decided to bottle. The first vintage was 2016. Enticing and complex, earthy scents of wild strawberry, orange peel, blood orange, spice and garrigue lead to an intense yet elegant palate. Light on its feet, its sapid, tangy red fruits are supported by fine tannins, slightly drying on the finish.