In eastern Sicily, where Mount Etna is located: the highest active volcano in Europe (over 3,300 m), Donnafugata has chosen the northern side to produce mountain, volcanic and Mediterranean wines.
In this estate, between 730 metres and 750 metres above sea level, Donnafugata can count on about 21 hectares of vineyards, all in the DOC area, divided into 6 districts: Montelaguardia, Statella, Camporè and Calderara in the municipality of Randazzo, Marchesa and Verzella in the municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia. The cultivated varieties are the native ones representative of the territory: Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and in small quantities Nerello Cappuccio.
The wine-growing landscape on Etna is characterized by terraces and dry-stone walls in lava stone (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage). There is a low grown or traditional bush trained form of cultivation, including the quincunx form (dense chequered planting with about 7,000 plants per hectare). The age of the vineyard can exceed 70 years. The volcanic terrains, on which lapilli and ash continue to settle, are sandy and guarantee excellent drainage.
From the point of view of climate, the northern side of the volcano has a lower average annual rainfall than the eastern side. Fresh and windy summers contribute to the production of healthy grapes. The strong temperature fluctuations in August and September, between day and night, favour the production of grapes with great aromatic freshness and unique personality.
With its eruptions, Etna produces “sciare”, accumulations of lava, that through long physical-chemical processes give rise to the sandy, and therefore cultivable, soils on the slopes of the volcano. Each lava flow, that took place in different historical periods, determines a specific composition of the terrains: this is the imprint that makes the wine from a micro-territory unique. The two crus, Fragore Contrada Montelaguardia and Contrada Marchesa Etna Rosso Doc, have their roots in very ancient lava flows.
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Tenuta di Nozzole La Forra Chianti Classico Riserva is made from 100% Sangiovese.
Located north of the village of Greve in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, the Nozzole estate covers a striking, rugged, mountainous area of about 1,000 acres at 984 feet in elevation. In order to obtain concentration and complexity in the wine, yields are kept low. The grapes are hand harvested, destemmed and crushed. Fermentation is initiated on the skins in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by a maceration period to draw out color and tannins. The wine is racked into stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation before aging in oak vats and in bottle before release. The wine is bottled on the estate.
The 2020 vintage was characterized by a basically cold period between April and May and by a generally warm and dry climate until July. The initial slight delay of the vegetative cycle has been recovered since the summer. The sudden increase in temperatures, especially for the later varieties where the fruit set had not yet ended, has favored a production characterized by sparse and light bunches. The stable and sunny climate of the months of August and September allowed the grapes to complete ripening in optimal conditions.
Review:
Attractive on the nose with cherries, red berries, dried herbs and baking spices. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Harmonious and poised with a refined character. Weightless and agile. Polished and succulent finish.
-Wine Enthusiast 93 Points
Luis XIV Lo de Pepitin is made from 80% Monastrell,14% Giro, 3% Arcos and 3% Bobal.
"Wine from a historic plot, named after Mr. Pepitin, the farmer who looked after these vines throughout his life."
Old vines (1980) planted in a bush style and dry land. 610 metres above sea level in the town of Biar. Sandy clay loam soil, with a high presence of limestone. Historic plot, reproduced by massal selection and with a wide variety of old clones of traditional Alicante varieties.
Production: Indigenous yeasts in our 19th century winery.
Fermentation: 50% in stainless steel, and 50% fermentation in vats.
70% Grapes crushed by foot and destemmed manually.
30% whole bunches.
Low extraction.
Aging : 50% of the wine was aged for 8 months in 500-liter French oak barrels ; and the other 50% were aged for 8 months in century-old 500-litre Amphora from Villarrobledo, considered the finest in Spain and which allows the wine to be stored inside without any coating: just pure clay.