Acosta Siciliano Rosso 'Versante Nord' 2024

Eduardo Torres Acosta Versante Nord  Rosso 2024 Sicily, Italy
$38     Soul Wine Price $32.30

85% Nerello Mascalese/15% other. Acosta organically farms 3.5 hectares on the north face or versante nord of Mt. Etna. The parcels are scattered amongst 6 different contrade or districts (currently Pietramarina, Allegracore, Sciaranuova, Friera, Santo Spirito and Marchesa).  For Versante Nord Rosso, the mainstay of Acosta reds, the fruit comes potentially from all of these parcels. Averaging over 50 years old, the vines are in alberello, either as individual bushes or on wires depending on the parcel; the varieties are interplanted and include a preponderance of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, as well as smatterings of Alicante, Garnacha and other reds (plus many white varieties). The soils are sandy volcanic ash and the elevation ranges from 550 to 850 meters.

This wine has everything I love about Etna reds and more. There is the classic volcanic soil quality, earthy, mineral, acidity that is balanced beautifully by the hightoned red fruit of the Nerello Mascarello and just a bit richer core from, I assume, all the other grapes involved. I wish I could have this wine on the shelf year round. Instead I will be lucky if it lasts a month.