Contrada Sciaranuova Vecchie Vigne Etna Rosso DOC 2016

This wine is made from Tascante's oldest vines, planted in 1961. The 2016 Etna Rosso Contrada Sciaranuova V.V. (the initials stand for Vigna Vecchia or "old vines") is a beautifully polished and glossy expression with a fine and smooth aromatic presentation. It starts off with primary notes of forest berry and cassis and spans all the way over to campfire ash and camphor. That range is as beautiful as it is impressive. The mouthfeel is silky and soft with fine, powdery tannins. Put this delicate wine aside for a few more years. Some 5,000 bottles were produced.

Tasca's Tascante has unveiled an impressive set of new single-contrada wines that underline a commitment to the Etna wine philosophy and its traditions. These are inaugural vintages from the Contrade Sciaranuova (with two wines made from older vines and newer ones, respectively), Rampante and Pianodario. I am absolutely delighted by this range and the distinctive quality offered by each. I am equally impressed by the technical sheets that came with my samples. They show vineyard planting dates, soil maps and—most importantly—the exact location of each vineyard on the volcano and the corresponding lava flows. Thank you!

A fresh, very elegant, light-colored red showing sliced lemons and plums with hints of cedar and dusty earth on the nose. Light body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Yet, a density and old-vine nature to the wine. Contrastive. Drink now.

Moderately saturated ruby-red. Very pure aromas and flavors of blood orange, potpourri, red cherry nectar, minerals and sweet spices. Very light on its feet and extremely suave, with outstanding acid-sugar-tannin balance, this is actually less weighty on the palate than the regular Sciaranuova bottling. The finish is very long and pure.