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TENUTA TASCANTE

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TENUTA TASCANTE

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Sicily’s star is ascendant in the wine community, and it seems that when anyone looks at Sicily these days, their eyes are immediately drawn to the island’s most prominent topographic feature, the great volcano Mount Etna. Etna wines are almost as hot as the lava inside that peak, metaphorically speaking. Sicily has been well known as a major source of Italian wine forever, but until relatively recently it was viewed as a producer of bulk wines for export or cheap everyday wines. With the revolution in quality that has taken place on the island in the past decade, though, that reputation has been turned on its head, and Sicilian wines are being sought out by wine buyers and consumers—none more so than the wines of Etna. 

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. 

The Tasca family currently owns four parcels, located in the contrade of Pianodario and Sciaranova in Randazzo, and Rampante and Grasà in Castiglione. (A contrada is a small subdivision of a commune, based on various defining criteria such as elevation, cultural/historical significance, or the age of past lava flows.) The vineyards are mostly at elevations of 2,450 to 2,600 feet (750–800 meters) on the 11,000-foot mountain. All are certified as sustainable under SOStain, a Sicilian-based program that rates wineries and vineyards based on their impact on the environment, in conjunction with the Italian Ministry of the Environment’s VIVA indicators of sustainability.

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WINERY LOCATION: Castiglione di Sicilia (Catania province), Sicily
REGION: Etna DOC, Sicilia DOC
VINEYARD LAND: 35 acres (14 ha)
FARMING PRACTICES: Sustainable - SOStain Certified
GRAPE VARIETIES: Nerello Mascalese and Carricante with smaller amounts of Nerello Capuccio and Chardonnay
WINE STYLES: Dry white, dry rosé and dry red
TOTAL WINE PRODUCTION: 81,000 bottles (61,000 liters)
YEAR FOUNDED: 2007
OWNER(S): The Tasca Family
WINEMAKER(S): Laura Orsi

WINES

TENUTA TASCANTE “BUONORA” ETNA DOC

Buonora is Tenuta Tascante’s white wine from Mount Etna’s indigenous Carricante grape variety. Historically prized for its high acidity and abundant productivity, Carricante is a multi-faceted grape that ripens late and gains complexity with aging.  Grapes for the Tenuta Tascante Buonora are sourced from cool-climate vineyards on the north and east faces of the volcano’s slopes.

TENUTA TASCANTE “GHIAIA NERA” ETNA DOC

The Tascante Ghiaia Nera is a cuvee of Nerello Mascalese from three incredibly biodiverse Etna Contrade vineyards on the north side of Mt. Etna – Piano Dario, Rampante and Sciaranuova.  Surrounded by chestnut trees and downy oak, these terraced volcanic vineyard sites produce supremely balanced wines that embody the freshness and restrained power for which Etna is known.  Ghiaia Nera is our purest expression of the DOC.

TENUTA TASCANTE CONTRADA PIANODARIO ETNA DOC

Mt Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, is situated on the eastern side of Sicily and is home of some of Italy's most dramatic wine landscapes. The Etna DOC is divided into 132 Contrade, or wine districts, that are distinguished by different volcanic soil formations. Contrada Pianodario is located at 2,400 feet above sea level between the town of Randazzo and Montelaguardia. The nine acres of vineyards are characterized by terraces of dry stone walls with an average slope of 7% and the volcanic soil formations in the vineyards date from 4,000 to 30,000 years ago.  Tenuta Tascante Contrada Pianodario is 100% Nerello Mascalese aged one year in large Slavonian oak cask of 25 hl.

TENUTA TASCANTE CONTRADA RAMPANTE ETNA DOC

Mt Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, is situated on the eastern side of Sicily and is home of some of Italy's most dramatic wine landscapes. The Etna DOC is divided into 132 Contrade, or wine districts.  Each Contrada is characterized by its soil components and the age of the lava formations in the vineyards. Tasca works in four Contrade located on the northern side of Mt. Etna. Contrada Rampante is located between Passopisciaro and Randazzo and is an 11 acre vineyard that has large dry-stone wall terraces at an average slope of 4.7% with volcanic formations that date from 4,000 - 15,000 years ago. Contrada Rampante is 100% Nerello Mascalese aged 12 months in 25 hl Slavonia oak casks.

TENUTA TASCANTE CONTRADA SCIARANUOVA ETNA DOC

Mt Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, is situated on the eastern side of Sicily and is home of some of Italy's most dramatic wine landscapes. The Etna DOC is divided into 132 Contrade, or wine districts, that are distinguished by different volcanic soil formations. The Tasca family works in four Contrade all located on the north side of Mt. Etna. Contrada Sciaranuova is located between Montelaguardia and Passopisciaro and is home to 12 acres of vineyards, planted in 2008, and more than 17 acres of chestnut groves. It is marked by its steep grade of 8.5% with volcanic formations with origins between 4,000 and 40,000 years ago. Tenuta Tascante Contrada Sciaranuova is 100% Nerello Mascalese fermented in stainless steel and aged partly in large Slavonian oak cask and part in French oak barrique.

TENUTA TASCANTE CONTRADA SCIARANUOVA VIGNA VECCHIA ETNA DOC

Mt Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, is situated on the eastern side of Sicily and is home of some of Italy's most dramatic wine landscapes. The Etna DOC is divided into 132 Contrade, or wine districts, that are distinguished by different volcanic soil formations.  Contrada Sciaranuova is located between Montelaguardia and Passopisciaro.  With an area of 35 acres total and 12 acres of vineyards, the volcanic soil formations found in Sciaranuova date back 40,000 years. Tenuta Tascante Contrada Sciaranuova Vigna Vecchia (old vine) is produced from the portion of the vineyards that were planted in 1960. Made from 100% Nerello Mascalese, the wine is aged for one year in large Slavonian oak cask and smaller French oak tonneaux.

LOCATION


WINERY:
Castiglione di Sicilia (Catania province), Sicily

VINEYARD:
Mount Etna, Sicily

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NEWS AND REVIEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS IN THE INDUSTRY



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92
DECEMBER 2021
Tenuta Tascante “Ghiaia Nera” Etna DOC 2019

Lithe and savory, this lovely red has enticing scents of Mediterranean scrub, wild berries, crushed stone and eucalyptus. The polished, savory palate offers wonderful finesse, featuring wild strawberry, pomegranate and star anise alongside flinty mineral notes. Glossy tannins provide elegant support. Drink through 2027.

91
NOVEMBER 2020
Tenuta Tascante “Ghiaia Nera” Etna DOC 2018

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Aromas of toasted hazelnut, eucalyptus and violet lift out of the glass. Linear and elegant, the polished palate features Morello cherry, blackberry and hints of ground clove alongside lithe tannins and fresh acidity before a salty finish. Drink through 2025.

92
JUNE 2024
Tenuta Tascante “Ghiaia Nera” Etna DOC 2021

The 2021 Etna Rosso Ghiaia Nera is intense, smoky and ashy, opening with a burst of crushed strawberries complicated by hints of blood orange and clove. This is a model of purity, with zesty red berry fruits and a core of salty minerality that comes forward toward the close. Brisk acidity maintains fantastic balance. A web of fine tannins lingers long, creating a classically dry sensation and youthful tension as sour cherry tones taper.

94
JULY 2024
Tenuta Tascante Contrada Pianodario Etna DOC 2020

There's a sense of precision and focus to this graceful red, whose bright acidity is well-meshed with a detailed range of wild strawberry, pomegranate seed, red licorice and fresh basil and oregano notes. Long and tarry on the lightly chewy finish. Drink now through 2039.

91
OCTOBER 2020
Tenuta Tascante Contrada Rampante Etna DOC 2016

Fresh and focused, this minerally red features a streak of salinity underscoring the well-knit flavors of crushed cherry, cured tobacco, dried fig and star anise. Offers a chewy, spiced finish. Best from 2021 through 2026. 500 cases made, 125 cases imported.

94+
OCTOBER 2021
Tenuta Tascante Contrada Rampante Etna DOC 2017

There is a lot of aromatic definition to the Tenuta Tascante 2017 Etna Rosso Contrada Rampante. The wine reveals a distinct and unique personality, with a slightly higher degree of natural richness, concentration and textural power, which is due to the warm vintage. The vines are planted in eroded volcanic ash and soils, meaning that they have been broken down into ashy dust and smaller particles over the centuries. The bouquet offers red cassis, wild cherry and toasted fennel seed. It should be interesting to see how this lovely wine progresses over time.

96
JANUARY 2020
Tenuta Tascante Contrada Rampante Etna DOC 2016

Intense and linear, this vibrant red has intriguing aromas of wild red berry, violet, dark spice, crushed stone and eucalyptus. On the lithe, racy palate, polished tannins and lively acidity frame crunchy red cherry, strawberry compote, orange zest and licorice before a saline finish. Drink 2021–2028.

92
OCTOBER 2021
Tenuta Tascante “Buonora” Etna DOC 2020

Boasting handsome forest-green packaging, the Tenuta Tascante 2020 Etna Bianco Buonora reveals a lean, almost transparent appearance with a dim spot of golden sunlight. The wine puts big emphasis on its mineral side with gorgeous definition and sharp tones of crushed oyster shell and aspirin, followed by faintly fruity and citrusy tones. In fact, more than fruit, the bouquet veers toward white flowers and jasmine, with a hint of white pepper. I love this minimalist, elegant style from Etna, and it should be interesting to see how this release of 25,000 bottles fleshes out with time. At the moment, it would make a great aperitivo with delicate crab cakes.