Tenuta Tascante "Ghaia Nera" Nerello Mascalese Etna Rosso DOC 2022
(Sicily, Italy) - [JS 95] [JD 92] [WA 92] [VM 91]

About the Winery:
The Tasca d'Almerita family, one of Sicily's oldest and most esteemed wine families, is now led by seventh generation Alberto Tasca. The family, who has been making wine across Sicily for over 200 years, is a leading producer of Etna wines at its Tenuta Tascante estate (the name is a portmanteau of Tasca and Etna).  The estate was founded in 2007 with the purchase of two vineyards in the communes of Castiglione di Sicilia and Randazzo on the north face of the volcano. The northern exposure is a cool-climate area, due to the combination of elevation and less direct sun, which helps to retain acidity in the wines. 

About this Wine:
Ghiaia Nera translates to "Black Gravel", which represents the dark volcanic soils the region is known for. This 100% Nerello Mascalese bottling is a celebration of a younger style of the wine, as the vines range in age from eight to ten years old. The vineyards are in Randazz on the northern side of Mount Etna. The vines grow with northern-facing aspect, on ancient vineyard sites with shallow soil on a seabed of sediment scattered with stones and organic matter. After harvest the grapes are pressed and 20% undergo malolactic fermentation in barrel, while the remaining are in stainless steel. The wine is aged for 24 months in Slavonian oak casks, then another year in bottle before release.

Tasting Notes:
Aromatically the wine is full of just barely ripe red fruit flavors with cherries and cranberries. On the palate the wine is pleasantly crunchy with bright acidity and hints of orange zest and tart red fruit.

13% ABV

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - James Suckling:
"A very pretty, perfumed, young Etna rosso with plenty of fresh flowers, focus and finesse. Medium-bodied, it has fine tannins and a long, bright finish. Best ever? Drink now or hold." (Jul 2024)

92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"With a name referring to the black sand of the region, the bright ruby red 2022 Etna Rosso Ghiaia Nera is savory though pure, opening to notes of red cherries, pomegranate, anise, fresh flowers, and dusty earth (cedar). Medium-bodied, the palate really comes to life and is delightful all around. I really love the freshness of the palate, with fine tannins, dusty earth, and a clean, floral, and fresh, savory finish. Beautiful. Drink 2025-2035." – Audrey Frick (Oct 2025)

92 Points - Wine Advocate:
"This is a large production of 85,000 bottles that sources its fruit from various plots planted in 2004 and 2007 at 600 meters in elevation on terraces made with volcanic rocks. The Tenuta Tascante 2022 Etna Rosso Ghiaia Nera offers focused fruit aromas of redcurrant and cranberry. The wine shows a dark ruby color and medium texture. Its informal personality would match a plate of home-cooked pasta or a wood-oven pizza. Aged in oak for 12 months, these results are charming and versatile." – Monica Larner (Apr 2025)

91 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 Etna Rosso Ghiaia Nera is darkly floral and surprisingly rich. Autumnal spices and dusty rose complement cherry sauce and hints of mint on the nose. Cool and round, yet juicy to the core, it sweeps across the palate with ripe red and blue fruits as an air of lavender forms. This maintains energy even as it tapers off staining and gently tannic, leaving a resonance of licorice to fade slowly." – Eric Guido (May 2025)