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Cusumano Alta Mora Etna Rosso Guardiola 2016 750ml
OUT OF STOCK
Sample image only.Please see Item description for product Information. When ordering, the item shipped will match the product listing if there are any discrepancies. Do not order solely on the label if you feel it does not match product description.
SKU 876871
$51.63/bottle
Out of stock
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Smoked meat, volcanic ash, licorice and wild cherries. It’s medium-bodied with fine, silky tannins. Delightfully mineral with spice, dried herbs and berries on the palate. Leather and dust on the finish. Slightly austere, but solid. Drink or hold.
Italian Red Blends stand as a testament to the country’s rich winemaking diversity and heritage. Comprising a harmonious mix of indigenous and international grape varieties, these wines encapsulate the unique character of Italy’s diverse wine regions. Blends like Super Tuscans, combining Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, showcase a fusion of tradition and innovation. The Nebbiolo-based blends from Piedmont, such as Barbaresco and Barolo, exemplify elegance and longevity. Each region contributes distinct flavors, from the bold red fruits of the south to the structured tannins of the north.
The artistry lies in winemakers’ hands, skillfully crafting blends that balance acidity, tannins, and fruit expression. Italian Red Blends offer a kaleidoscope of aromas, flavors, and textures, reflecting the country’s varied terroirs. Whether exploring a classic Chianti blend or a contemporary interpretation, these wines invite enthusiasts on a captivating journey through Italy’s winemaking mosaic.
Country
Italy
There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.
Region
Sicily
The beautiful island of Sicily has been growing grapevines and producing wines for thousands of years, ever since the ancient Greeks first landed on its golden shores and noticed the island's true potential as a haven for quality grapes. Today, the island is one of Italy's primary wine regions, and even though over eighty percent of Sicily's grapevines are used for the production of sweet fortified wines, the remaining wineries making other wine styles are renowned around the world for their quality and character. Indeed, Sicilian wineries are famed for their ability to capture something of the sun-drenched region in their wines, and the vines they cultivate benefit enormously from the almost constant sunshine and the incredibly fertile volcanic soils which typify the island.
Appellation
Etna
Etna, a captivating wine appellation nestled on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, is gaining global recognition for its unique and expressive wines. The region's volcanic soils, shaped by the active volcano, impart distinctive mineral nuances to the wines, making Etna wines truly exceptional. Primarily focused on the indigenous Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio grapes, these wines showcase vibrant acidity, red fruit flavors, and an intriguing volcanic terroir. The high-altitude vineyards, coupled with varying microclimates, contribute to the complexity and finesse of Etna wines. Embracing both tradition and innovation, Etna stands as a testament to the fascinating interplay between terroir and grape varieties, offering wine enthusiasts a unique and memorable tasting experience.
JS93pts
James Suckling
Smoked meat, volcanic ash, licorice and wild cherries. It’s medium-bodied with fine, silky tannins. Delightfully mineral with spice, dried herbs and berries on the palate. Leather and dust on the finish. Slightly austere, but solid. Drink or hold.
WS92pts
Wine Spectator
An appealing note of ripe black raspberry is pure and lightly juicy, leading the way in this grippy, mineral-driven red. It's layered with accents of licorice snap, sage, orange peel and a smoky tang of hot iron. Quite elegant through the the finish, where the dense tannins hold sway for now, recommending short-term cellaring or decanting. Best from 2023 through 2028. 225 cases made, 50 cases imported.
VM91pts
Vinous Media
The 2016 Alta More Guardiola is dark, moody and earthy in the glass, as if you can smell all of the ashen soils, floral and fauna from the vineyard itself, but with a note of spiced black cherries that keeps you coming back for more. Its silky textures usher in a cool-toned display of tart blackberries, wild herbs and spices, as fine tannins collect toward the close. This finishes youthfully poised and structured, with a lasting stain of black fruits, licorice and salty minerals that seem to linger for well over a minute. Give this textbook expression of Guardiola a few years of cellaring to show its best.
Winery Notes
Single-crop Nerello Mascalese, 2 hectares of 150-year free-standing vines at an altitude of 800/1000 meters above sea level in the Guardiola contrada.
The altitude and terroir allow the Nerello Mascalese to ripen more slowly, which promotes rich tannins and distinctive aromas in the grape.
