Two Beauties from Terre Nere

Today we have two exceptional wines for you from Tenuta delle Terre Nere. We've been waiting for these beauties ever since we placed the order back on a snowy day in February. We were so excited when they arrived last week we tossed one of each into the cooler and cracked them later that afternoon. We could barely wait for them to chill down.

Tenuta delle Terre Nere hails from Mount Etna in Sicily. In case you're not familiar with this appellation, this is one of the most exciting wine regions to emerge in a long time. Nothing stops these winemakers. Volcanic eruptions, wildly unpredictable weather and ridiculously steep and rocky slopes? You betcha. This is a truly insane place to produce wine, but as often is the case, these extremes produce remarkable, head-turning wines.

As one vineyard manager said about the volcano, "It can give beauty and grapes, or it can take your house." The volcanic soil and the distinctive climate create wines with intense minerality and effusive flavors.

Mount Etna is known for attracting mavericks. One of the most important winemakers in Etna is Marco de Grazia. For years, de Grazia has been one of the most influential exporters of high-end wines from Italy. That he chose to move to Mount Etna to make his own wines at Tenuta delle Terre Nere is testament to the powerful allure of the mountain.

Let's start with the Etna Bianco 2012

This wine is a show stopper made from 25-60 year old vines which are 600-900 meters high on the northern slope of Mount Etna. It's a distinct blend of 50% Carricante, 10% Inzolia, 15% Grecanico and 25% Catarratto. Would we know that from taking a sip? No. Sicily is famous for having unusual indigenous grape varieties. This one would stump just about anyone.

Fresh notes of sea salt paired with bright acidity keep the pace with hints of lemon, pear skins, freshly cut summer flowers, hazelnut and herbs. This wine is so delicious it has become our new everyday house white. At least for as long as it lasts. Snap this one up. It's fantastic.

$19.99/bottle or $191/90/12 pack case ($15.99/bottle) or just $15.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

And now for the Etna Rosato 2012

We've never had a rose quite like this. It's challenging to explain, but this wine is elegant and round, with a creamy finish and lovely minerality. Haunting, that's it. This wine is definitely haunting. We can't stop thinking about it.

Love it. Love it. LOVE it.

"Racy, sharply focused aromas of redcurrant and blood orange. Dry and mineral-driven, offering piercing citrus, white pepper and herb flavors along with a hint of licorice. Then sweeter on the finish, showing notes of raspberry and blood orange." (Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar)

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: 88 points

$19.99/bottle or $191/90/12 pack case ($15.99/bottle) or just $15.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

Ciao!

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