2023 Tenuta Delle Terre Nere Vigne Niche Santo Spirito Bianco, Sicily

This has beautiful freshness and honey character with sliced apples and pears as well as lemons and honey. Medium- to full-bodied, it has depth of fruit, minerals and a long finish with cement undertones. Drink or hold.

95 points jamessuckling.com

The Tenuta Delle Terre Nere Vigne Niche Santo Spirito Bianco is a rare and enchanting white wine from the Santo Spirito vineyard on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, Sicily. Made predominantly from the indigenous Carricante grape, this wine beautifully expresses the elegance and complexity of its high-altitude origins.

Aromatically, this wine is a symphony of delicate citrus, white peach, and ripe pear, underscored by floral hints of jasmine and orange blossom. The bouquet is further enhanced by subtle layers of crushed almonds, wild herbs, and a distinct mineral character reminiscent of volcanic ash and wet stone.

On the palate, the Santo Spirito Bianco is graceful yet vibrant, with a precise balance between its crisp acidity and creamy texture. Flavors of lemon curd, green apple, and nectarine are accompanied by saline notes and a chalky minerality, reflecting the volcanic soils of the vineyard. The finish is exceptionally long, leaving a lingering impression of freshness and finesse.

Under the expert guidance of winemaker Marco de Grazia, the Santo Spirito vineyard's unique microclimate and ancient volcanic soils come to life in this wine. The vineyard’s altitude and cooling breezes ensure that the Carricante grapes achieve perfect ripeness while retaining their vibrant acidity, resulting in a wine of outstanding purity and character.

Ideal for pairing with fresh seafood dishes such as lobster, prawns, or octopus carpaccio, this wine also complements creamy risottos, white asparagus, or aged sheep’s milk cheese. With its remarkable structure and complexity, the Vigne Niche Santo Spirito Bianco has the potential to evolve gracefully for 8–12 years, rewarding patience with additional layers of depth and nuance.