2021 Benanti Etna Rosso Contrada Monte Serra DOC, Sicily

Showing a floral and slightly more fragrant side to Nerello Mascalese, the Benanti 2021 Etna Rosso Contrada Monte Serra (with fruit from the Viagrande side of the volcano) is packed tight with red berries and little background details that recall volcanic stone, mountain herb and dried lavender. The wine is straight and linear over the palate with very fine and dusty tannins. However, this wine feels more open and ready to me compared to the Contrada Cavaliere.

Earlier this year, Etna lost one of its most transformational figures. Giuseppe Benanti was among the first to envision a modern and vibrant wine scene on the volcano. He died on February 1, 2023, at 78 years old. Not only did he live to see and enjoy the wine scene he had envisaged, he paved the way for a new generation of vintners to follow. Etna is one of Italy's most exciting wine territories today, and much of the credit goes to Giuseppe Benanti. Before making wine, Mr. Benanti ran a pharmaceutical company. He enjoyed a passion for wine and started to look for vineyards to buy on Etna in the 1980s. One of the first parcels he purchased was in the Pietramarina location. In 1988, he founded a winery in Castiglione di Sicilia called Tenuta di Castiglione on the northern side of the volcano. Salvo Foti joined as winemaker, and the team also relied on the expertise of specialists from around the world. Some 10 years later, he moved his winery to Viagrande on the southeastern side of Etna and named it Benanti. Benanti was the first estate I visited on Etna back in the early 2000s. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that. The excellence of Benanti wines attracted wine lovers from all over the world when the area was relatively unknown. I still remember the thrill of tasting his white wine Pietramarina made from 100-year-old Carricante vines. It was a must first encounter, with the distinct taste profile that comes with wines made on the volcano. Giuseppe's sons Antonio and Salvino joined the winery in 2012. In October 2022, wine and fashion entrepreneur Renzo Rosso bought a 40% share of Benanti. Giuseppe Benanti is survived by his wife and sons.

93 points ML robertparker.com

100% Nerello Mascalese from a single vineyard near the village of Castiglione di Sicilia. These are from younger vines, only 40-50 years old! 

Aged mostly in steel with a short passage in old barrels, this is bright and juicy with red fruits, the palate pleasingly tannic and refreshing with classic mineral notes of Nerello from Etna. This is a great introduction to the grape and superb with a variety of dishes, from tuna and caponata through to white meats and vegetables.