2011 Nerello Mascalese Vecchie Vigne
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The vintage of this wine predates the creation of the Sicilia DOC and is therefore listed as an IGT wine. The 2011 Nerello Mascalese is made with fruit from very old vines, ranging from 80 to 100 years old from the Calderara Sottana and Taccione vineyards at 680 and 730 meters in elevation, respectively. A tiny 2% of Nerello Cappuccio is present in this blend from a warm vintage with dry winds blowing up from Africa. The wine shows rich concentration and dense fruit weight (with a 15% alcohol content); however, the quality of fruit is not faded or too evolved. In fact, this wine still has lots of energy and brightness locked within its heavy texture. Some 15,000 bottles were produced, and Calabretta gives us good reason to believe in the long-term prospects of an Etna red.
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Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Eric Guido, Vinous
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Crushed cherries, cinnamon, clove, incense, minty herbs and hints of black tea form a decidedly autumnal bouquet as the 2011 Nerello Mascalese Vigne Vecchie blossoms in the glass. This soothes with a combination of silky textures, juicy acids and depths of vivid, ripe red fruits. There’s a bit of volatility that pushes the expression forward. There doesn’t seem to be a hard edge in sight, as the 2011 keeps the energy high and leaves a pleasant inner sweetness, along with a coating of nuanced tannins that frame the experience exceptionally well. I really see no need to wait, as the 2011 Vigne Vecchie is packed full of pleasure.