Santa Maria La Nave Etna Millesulmare Contrada Nave

The 2015 'Millesulmare' Bianco comes from Grecanico Dorato vines on the north-western slope of Mount Etna, grown on one of the highest altitude vineyards in all of Europe. At 1100 meters above sea level, the Casa Decima vineyard is surrounded by old lava flows and a landscape consisting of small orchards and grassy woods. The mineral rich volcanic soils in combination with the extreme high altitude create a simply gorgeous wine that beautifully reflects the land and sea characteristics of …

The bouquet wafted up from the glass with a mixture of ripe pear, grapefruit, yellow florals, dusty minerals, crushed sea shells and hints of musky undergrowth. On the palate, I found soft textures offset by stimulating acidity, with zesty young peach, lemony citrus, pineapple, and saturating minerality. The finish was medium-long, lingering on tart citrus-driven acidity along with ripe yellow fruits and florals. Showing beautifully already, and with a few years in the cellar has the potential to be even …