2013 Terre Nere Etna Rosso Guardiola

My mind wanders to the immense beauty of this stunning vineyard site when I taste the 2013 Etna Rosso Guardiola. Throughout my many years covering Italian wine, this is one of the most beautiful sites I have ever had the honor to visit. That otherworldly beauty - with volcanic stone walls, knotted pre-phelloxera vines, cherry trees and wild flowers with little shrines to the Madonna peeping through the vines - is forever etched in my memory. Guardiola is among my favorite Etna Contrade. This is a shapely and sophisticated expression with dark fruit tones of cassis and blackcurrant backed by crushed mineral and dried flowers. The tannins are firm and drying. This vintage far exceeds my expectations.