2014 Frank Cornelisson ‘Contadino’

Region: Mount Etna < Italy
Grapes: Nerello Mascalese (85%) + Nerello Capuccio, Minella Nera, Allicante Bouschet, Minella Bianco
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified biodynamic farming, 50+year-old vines, clay/limestone soils, ZERO added SO2, aged in amphora
Winemaker: Frank Cornelissen

Smells like wild rose and blood orange juice. Frank Cornelissen, Sicily’s eccentric (and some might say extreme) natural winemaker, pays homage to the farmer wines of Etna (contadino is Italian for farmer) with this fragrant, structured and racy field-blend. A touch wild on entry, this turns to bright, high-toned black fruit on the palate. There is a textural minerality to the finish that is what I imagine licking a rough rock might be like – in the very best way, certo. Neon, vivid and intense, and overflowing with that smoky volcanic goodness, you want to drink the whole bottle just to see what happens next. Incredible with wood-fired pizza – tested!