2019 Idda Etna Rosso

This is really beautifully rich and opulent with aromas of ripe fruit, caramel and chocolate brioche. Some earth, too. Medium-to full-bodied with soft, integrated tannins that give a cashmere mouth feel. It’s fresh and very long with gorgeous texture and a delicious finish. 98% nerello mascalese and 2% nerello cappuccio. A joint production from Graci and Gaja. So attractive to drink now, but better in 2023.

The Idda 2019 Etna Rosso shows depth, length and everything in between. This 2019 vintage benefits from a long and slow growing season, just what the native red grapes of Etna prefer. The spring season saw a lot of rain for ample water reserves, and the weather then transitioned to a dry but not too hot summer season. The late harvest helped to develop structure and linearity in the wine that you taste, thanks to bright fruit nuances of blackberry, plum and a touch of candied orange peel. The wine is light, vertical and otherwise void of any residual heaviness. It finishes with pretty accents of toasted nut and earthy terracotta.

Mid ruby. Finely perfumed red fruit and stones on the nose. Succulent raspberry fruit with a sweet note that is hard to place but could be oak. Elegant, ripe and sweet red-fruit palate with gripping, gravelly tannins. Amazing depth of fruit and tannic grip on the finish. It is just that the sweet note is a little distracting. (WS)