Tenuta Di Fessina Etna Rosso ‘Il Musmeci’ 2012 Vino

Producer: Tenuta di Fessina

Grape: 95% Nerello Mascalese and 5% Nerello Cappuccio

Pronunciation: ‘Ne-rell-oh Mas-ka-ley-ze’

Region: Santa Maria di Licodia, Sicily

Zone: DOC Etna Rosso

Producer Info: 

Tuscan wine producer Silvia Maestrelli, and Federico Curtaz bought Tenuta di Fessina on Etna’s northern slopes in 2007, part of the growing band of producers on this active volcano.  From just a decade ago numbers have increased almost tenfold to around 40 wineries, all of whom make less than 3% of Sicily’s total production. This wine is dedicated to the Musmeci family, in particular, Mr. Musmeci, who for so many years looked after these estate vineyards (“I vigne di Fessina”) with so much love that today the winery is able to cultivate 80-year-old vines. This cru-level wine is made from a blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio from the oldest vines of the estate grown on the highest hills. The resulting wine is unparalleled in richness, concentration, and depth.

Tasting note:

Deep ruby-red in colour, exuberant notes of smoky minerality and red fruits complement undertones of spices, black cherry, and violets. On the palate, it is rich and textural, with well-integrated tannins and a long, evolving finish. 

Growing System: Bush

Soil Composition: Volcanic sandy loam

Production: Fermentation in stainless steel tanks followed by 15months aging in old French oak barrels.

Alcohol (%): 14%