Very Special wine from Sicily
Pietradolce Vigna Barbagalli Rosso Etna 2014
I am excited to share with you one of the finest and rarest wines made in Sicily. Pietrodolce was established in 2005 in Solicchiata, on the Northern slopes of Etna. It is made from 100% Nerello Mascalese, a traditional varietal in the region, grown from pre-phylloxera bush-trained vines that are 80-100 years old and grown at an elevation of 950 meters.
The grapes are hand-picked, gently pressed, and macerated on the skins for 18 days in concrete tanks. The wine is then aged in French oak tonneaux for 20 months and undergoes malolactic fermentation. The wine boasts notes of red berries, floral perfume, cinnamon, vanilla, smoke, minerals, leather, and hints of tobacco. It has high acidity and a long, even finish with a medium to medium-full body.
The drinking window for this wine starts now and extends for about 10 years.
For a top pairing, consider thick-cut, chophouse-style pork chops with a side of wild mushroom cherry compote. This wine also pairs well with Italian dishes, such as eggplant, tomato, or peppers with pasta, or even with a pork and tomato pizza. Additionally, flavorful cheeses like provolone or aged Gruyere are great choices to accompany this wine.