2005 Etna Rosso Riserva Serra della Contessa
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Tasting notes
The 2005 Etna Rosso Serra della Contessa is an intense, brooding red that emerges from the glass in a large-scaled expression of dark cherries, earthiness, smoke, licorice and toasted oak. The wine turns increasingly balsamic in the glass, as layers of mentholated, spiced aromas add further complexity. This powerful wine needs at least another year in bottle for the oak tannins to melt away, but it is another compelling and absolutely delicious wine from Benanti.
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Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate
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The 2005 Etna Rosso Serra della Contessa is an intense, brooding red that emerges from the glass in a large-scaled expression of dark cherries, earthiness, smoke, licorice and toasted oak. The wine turns increasingly balsamic in the glass, as layers of mentholated, spiced aromas add further complexity. This powerful wine needs at least another year in bottle for the oak tannins to melt away, but it is another compelling and absolutely delicious wine from Benanti. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. I can’t think of too many properties in Sicily, or Italy, for that matter, that turn out such a large number of outstanding wines. The family-run Benanti winery is located on the slopes of Mount Etna. These volcanic soils are the source for most of the grapes, although some of the Nero d’Avola comes from Pachino while the Zibibbo is grown on the island of Pantelleria. Readers should do whatever they can to taste these unique wines. Importer: JA-AR Imports, Ltd., Stellar Cellars, East Brunswick, NJ; tel. (732) 762-9524
About the producer
Benanti is one of the founding fathers of modern-day wine in Sicily, with Giuseppe Benanti an early champion of wines made from the slopes of Mount Etna. Today the property is in the hands of Giuseppe’s children and remains one of the region’s leading names.