Planeta 2021 Etna Rosso 750ml

Sporting one of my all-time favorite labels in Italian wine (with an etching of an exploding Etna), the 2018 Etna Rosso is a mid-weight red with smoky and tarry aromas that intermingle with red fruit, cassis and toasted almond. You also get blue flower and wild rose, but of course, those volcanic signatures are what gives this wine its compelling raison d'être.

Score: 91 points -- Monica Larner, Robertparker.com, Oct 2019

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The area of Mount Etna has a particular climate due to the natural elevation of vineyards literally growing on and near this still active volcano. Planeta’s Feudo di Mezzo winery (first vintage 2012), is located in the heart of Etna.  Vines are over 500 meters above sea level.  The land here has excellent aspect/position, and is black from lava sands - thus extraordinarily rich in minerals.  Made from 100% Nerello Mascalese, this wine expresses the unique elegance, lightness and charm of wines from this area – particularly the reds.  There are pure notes of wild red strawberries, rhubarb, flowers, spice and a smoothness on the palate.  This is considered a wine for drinking every day and it will pair with simple pasta dishes as well as those more complex (meat and fish).