Benanti Etna Rosso 2022
Winemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800's in Viagrande, Sicily. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988. Located on Mount Etna, “an island within the island” of Sicily, the Benanti family produces wines using 100% native grapes – Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Benanti farms 35 hectares on four different slopes of the volcano: in the North is Contrada Dafara Galluzzo in Rovitello village (only Nerello Mascalese), Contrada Calderara Sottana (northern slope, Nerello Mascalese only), in the East is Contrada Rinazzo in Milo village (only Carricante); in the South-East is Contrada Monte Serra in Viagrande village (all varieties); and in the South-West is Contrada Cavaliere in Santa Maria di Licodia village (all varieties) and finally Contrada Calderara Sottana in Randazzo. Benanti is the only winery with vineyards on every slope of the Etna DOC area, and believes the climatic influence and volcanic soils from each slope combine to create territorial wines with a “sense of place.”
After 25 years at the helm of the winery and greatly contributing to the development and growth of the whole region, Giuseppe passed the torch to his sons in 2012. Antonio and Salvino Benanti now lead the winery with the same vision and passion as their father, continuing the reputation as a very traditional producer and the pioneer of fine wine making on Mount Etna.
Benanti Etna Rosso is a pale ruby red. The nose is ethereal and intense, with hints of red fruits. Balanced, dry, medium-bodied, mineral with a pleasant acidity and saline notes, red fruit aromas, and persistent finish.
Known for respecting the terroir and varietal characteristics, the wines of Benanti are elegant, balanced, refined and can improve with age. Focused on organic farming (not yet certified), the winery uses only selected proprietary indigenous yeasts. As Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate says: “Benanti’s winemaking history is synonymous with Etna winemaking history. In fact, the hard work and excellent wines produced at this historic winery are what catapulted this unknown part of Sicily to the enological forefront, Benanti’s wines are among the best made on the volcano today.”
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Varietal Composition | Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio |
| Appellation | Etna |
| Designation | DOC |
| Acid | 5.4 g/L |
| PH | 3.7 |
| Aging | 80% of the wine matures in stainless steel tanks, while about 20% matures in used French oak barriques for 8-10 months |
| Residual Sugar | 0.60 g/L |
| Alcohol | 13.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Country of Origin | ITALY |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
The 2022 Etna Rosso wafts up with a perfumed blend of rosy florals and hints of juniper berry. This is vividly fruit-focused, with a wave of ripe wild berries and sweet spices that flow across a stream of brisk acidity. It leaves a staining of primary concentration and mildly grippy tannins to resonate as violet inner florals slowly fade. While more extroverted than expected, the 2022 is a total pleasure to taste and maintains fantastic balance. - Vinous, 90 pts
