Tasting Notes
I'm so excited to have this wine in our range... more than usual. I never really understood the comparison of Etna to both Barolo and Burgundy, but this wine typifies this comment. The wine has the prettiness and perfume of both Barolo and Burgundy, plus the structure often seen in Nebbiolo and the oak influence seen in Burgundy. It is 100% Nerello Mascalese from Pre-pylloxera vines and it is an outstanding wine. Can be enjoyed now with a decent decant or over the next 50 years if you have the time. I'm gob-smacked at how good this wine is. - Chris L
Tenuta delle Terre Nere is the highly respected estate founded by Marco de Grazia in the early 2000s on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, Sicily—an “island within an island” marked by dramatic elevation and volcanic soils. Covering around 45–55 hectares across multiple contrade (cru sites), the vineyards sit between 600 and 1,000 meters above sea level and include pre-phylloxera vines—some over 140 years old—that infuse the wines with rare depth and nuance.
The estate specializes in Nerello Mascalese-dominant red wines—often blended with Nerello Cappuccio—as well as Carricante-based whites, all crafted to reflect the character of their individual sites. Farming is organic and site-focused, and winemaking is restrained and terroir-driven: carefully co-fermented micro-parcels, native fermentations, and judicious use of neutral oak and amphora uphold freshness and elegance without overwork.
Marco’s vision has always been guided by Burgundian principles of climats: expressing subtle variations across terroirs with grace and precision. The result is a portfolio of wines—from entry-level Etna Rosso to single-vineyard, old-vine bottlings—marked by fragrant lift, mineral tension, structural finesse, and a captivating balance of vibrancy and depth.
| Product Type | Wine Red Other Varietals & Blends |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Sub Region | Etna |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |