2021 Single-Parcels from Mount Etna Trailblazer Tenuta delle Terre Nere

It's easy to underestimate the impact the wines of Mount Etna have had over the last 10 years. From near obscurity, to now being some of the most highly sought after wines of Italy, led in part from producers such as Tenuta delle Terre Nere. The winery is owned by the widely acclaimed Marco De Grazia who is one of the winemakers responsible for bringing the wines of Etna to prominence on the world stage.The red wines of Etna, produced from predominantly Nerello Mascalese, are often compared to a variety marrying the traits of Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir. Terre Nere take their wines a step further than most, and highlight the cru vineyards of the region with wines made at varying altitudes, along with vines planted on the pure Ellittico lava flow terroir. These delicate, perfumed, and intense wines translate the soil and season like few other wines in the world, and with demand far outweighing supply they are now increasingly hard to secure.

Production in 2021 was down almost by a third compared to the previous vintage due to an inconsistent growing season that recorded, amongst other issues, irregular budding and water stress. The flipside of this had been an increase in quality and concentration with some of the healthiest grapes seen in some time, according to winemaker De Grazia.All these 'single cru' reds display great freshness, a good tannic presence with remarkable (but not extreme) power across the range.