Once upon a time, not so long ago, Nerello Mascalese was an outcast. Shunned from tables, looked down upon by sommeliers, the indigenous Sicilian grape was at best ignored, along with the island where it was produced, or at worst associated with a sea of bad wine. Over the past decade, however, the ugly duckling has emerged as a swan: Adored in wine bars, the darling of dinner parties.

One of the island’s indigenous grapes, Nerello Mascalese is at its best in this Etna Rosso. Beautifully balanced, rustic and elegant – the versatility of this wine encapsulates the fervour that surrounds Etna’s boutique producers. Introduce yourself to Sicilian wine, and believe the hype.

Fruit comes from the Terra Costantino estate’s carefully tended Certified Organic vineyard on the southeast slope of Mount Etna. Grapes are harvested by hand, and wine ages in stainless steel and large oak casks prior to bottling.

“A firm and focused red with cherries and dried strawberries with pumice and basalt on the nose and palate. Orange blossom. Medium to full body. Chewy and fine tannins and a racy finish. Iron undertones. Solid finish. Tannic tension gives a different freshness here. 90% nerello mascalese and 10% nerello cappuccio. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
93 points, James Suckling, August 2023

“Intense, brilliant ruby red. Initially somewhat restrained on the nose, kitschy notes, then black tea, ripe fruit, raspberry and rosehip. The palate is very full-bodied, with grippy tannins, plus fine saltiness, then slightly austere and loose knit on the finish, although repeatedly salty and juicy; still needs time.”
93 points, Othmar Kiem & Simon Staffler, Falstaff, August 2023

“Brick dust and cranberry are on the nose with an undertone of herb-crusted grilled meat and a deeper umami note of balsamic vinegar. The palate offers more cranberries joined by strawberries and cherries but remains very savory and finishes with dusty, gritty tannins.”
90 points, Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast, September 2023