2011 Tenuta Delle Terre Nere Prephylloxera le Vigne di Don Peppino
A Nerello Mascalese Dry Red Table wine from Sicily, Italy,
Review by Monica Larner
eRobertParker.com # , #212 (May 2014)
Rating: 94
Drink 2017 – 2035
Cost: $100
The 2011 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino is 98% Nerello Mascalese and 2% Nerello Cappuccio that has fermented on its skins for 15 days before aging in oak for 18 months. This is one of the great red wines from Etna. Elegance and grace cements its pedigree thanks to a delicate embroidery of forest berry and blue flower. Yet the wine packs power and determination on the close with tight tannins and mounting flavor momentum. Give it time to complete its evolution. Drink 2017-2035. Marco de Grazia-s influence on the wines of Etna looms as large as the massive volcano that dominates the landscape in this very special corner of Sicily. This bi-cultural Italian and American figure (with extensive influence in the wine world as an importer, producer and great connoisseur of Barolo and Barbaresco) has pretty much moved permanently to live on Etna. His daughter is enrolled in the local school and his winery is a happy meeting ground for many younger Etna winemakers who seek Marco-s advice and counsel. I have often observed how the newest generations of winemakers – the so-called -Etna Boys- – refer to Marco in paternal tones. Importers: A Marc de Grazia Selection, with various American importers including, De Grazia Imports, www.marcdegrazia.com; Michael Skurnik Wine, www.skurnikwines.com; Classic Wine Imports,
www.classicwineimports.com; Estate Wines, www.estatewinesltd.com
