Pietradolce Etna Rosso "Archineri" DOC 2020
(Sicily, Italy) - [KO 94] [VM 93+] [JS 93] [WE 93] [DM 93] [WS 92]

About the Winery:
Pietradolce means "sweet stone" in Italian, a tribute to Mount Etna and its stony, mineral-rich volcanic soils. Cool nights, warm days and marked temperature changes help the estate's native grape varieties retain fragrance, freshness and depth.

About the Wine:
Archineri Etna Rosso is 100% Nerello Mascalese from old, pre-phylloxera bush vines on Etna's northern slopes. The producer identifies the site as Contrada Rampante, near Solicchiata, at 850 meters above sea level, with sandy soils rich in volcanic rock.

Producer's Winemaking Notes:
The producer's general specifications for Archineri describe hand harvesting in October, approximately 18 days of skin maceration, gentle pressing and 14 months in lightly toasted, fine-grained oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally. Alcohol: 14%.

Tasting Notes:
The importer's general note for Archineri describes ripe fruit with spicy and balsamic accents, a structured palate with depth and finesse, and a persistent finish.

Food Pairing & Serving:
The importer suggests Pasta alla Norma, with tomato, eggplant and ricotta salata, or red meat. Serve at 16-18 C.

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Kerin O'Keefe:
Score only.

93+ Points - Vinous Media:
"Earthy, dark and brooding, the 2020 Etna Rosso Archineri grumbles up with a youthfully backward bouquet of ashen stones, grilled herbs and dried berries. It’s silky-smooth, with ripe wild berry fruits offset by hints of blood orange. A saline core of minerality saturates toward the close. This leaves the palate reeling with residual tension. Brisk acidity peppers the senses and fine tannins penetrate deeply, making for a dramatically long, structured and intense finale. Drinking Window: 2026-2034." - Eric Guido (Jun 2024)

93 Points - James Suckling:
"Ripe, savory nose for an Etna Rosso with lots of orange peel, white pepper, cloves and tangerines. Some stones and sage, too. Tight and full-bodied with a mineral texture that lightly coats the palate. Broad-shouldered tannins with a long, mineral finish. Drink or hold." (Aug 2023)

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"A floral, herbaceous nose features notes of sage, oregano, tomato, roses and peonies. On the palate, a dash of balsamic and a sprinkle of pepper add further nuance to the waltz of savory and floral. Tannins emphasize the earthiness, while the acid introduces a fruit element that is both sweet and tart." -Danielle Callegari (May-2024)

93 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"An evolutionary nose with dried rose, fig, and baked plum leads to a palate of vibrant acidity, a rosewater hint. Exotic, bazaar-like aromas, rich exotic fruit minerality and charming floral fruitiness. Gentle smoke, rounded texture, fine tannins, with a juicy bitter cherry finish. Slightly austere." - Anthony Rose, Susan Hulme MW, Jason Millar (Feb 2024)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This shows fine interplay between its dried cherry and strawberry flavors, with savory notes of fresh earth, mountain herbs, iron and smoked paprika. Lively, focused and finely knit, with a creamy edge to the structured tannins that buoys the overall integration and length. Drink now through 2035. 580 cases made, 200 cases imported." - Alison Napjus (Apr 2025)