2013 Tascante Ghiaia Nera

This was a difficult year on Etna but you'd hardly guess so while tasting the 2013 Sicilia Nerello Mascalese Ghiaia Nera. The wine shows a bright garnet-ruby color and a tight bouquet of pressed violets, rose petal, crushed stone, cola and herbs. Given the coolness of the vintage, this edition of Ghiaia Nera is not as fruit-forward or rich as warmer years. You can taste that extra pinch of astringency on the close. The herbal-menthol element is also more pronounced. But the overall finish is firm and silky with an integrated dose of acidity on the close.