Maugeri 2023 Contrada Volpare Etna Bianco Frontebosco 750ml

The Maugeri 2023 Etna Bianco Superiore Contrada Volpare Frontebosco (with 6,200 bottles created) comes from a vineyard adjacent to a forest with ancient stone terracing, as its name "Frontebosco" suggests. It's not just the power of suggestion, because you do pick up on hints of balsam herb or forest floor beyond white fruit and peach. The wine ages on lees for eight months (with no malolactic fermentation and no bâtonnage). These techniques (or lack thereof) contribute to the wine's linear and punchy style. This is a charming and fun-drinking wine.

Score: 93 points -- Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate, 2025