2021 Tenuta Delle Terre Nere Dagala di Bocca D'Orzo Etna Rosso

It's easy to underestimate the impact the wines of Mount Etna have had over the last 10 years. From near obscurity, to now being some of the most highly sought after wines of Italy, led in part from producers such as Tenuta delle Terre Nere. The winery is owned by the widely acclaimed Marco De Grazia who is one of the winemakers responsible for bringing the wines of Etna to prominence on the world stage.
The red wines of Etna, produced from predominantly Nerello Mascalese, are often compared to a variety marrying the traits of Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir. Terre Nere take their wines a step further than most, and highlight the cru vineyards of the region with wines made at varying altitudes, along with vines planted on the pure Ellittico lava flow terroir. These delicate, perfumed, and intense wines translate the soil and season like few other wines in the world, and with demand far outweighing supply they are now increasingly hard to secure.
This small plot of 70 year old vines is all has been saved from the entire Contrada Bocca d’Orzo after it was buried in the lava flow of 1981. First produced in 2019, this tiny ‘dagala’ (an island of fertile land between two streams of lava). sits at 800 metres of altittute with soils of deep volcanic ash and pebbles.

Other Reviews....
This shows notes of ripe black cherries and wild berries with dark chocolate and spices. Hot stones and ashy notes, too. Almost tarry undertones. Full and intense and very complete with finely polished tannins and sleek, silky texture. Deep dark-fruited and chocolaty character with a lingering finish. Better in two or three years.
97 points
JamesSuckling.com