Tasting Notes

This terrific Etna Rosso, which takes its name from the contrada Martinella on the North-Eastern slope of Mt. Etna, is a blend of 90% Nerello Mascalese, 10% Nerello Cappuccio, all organically grown. Grapes here benefit from cool mountain climate and rich volcanic soils.

A smoky, slightly vegetal aroma sets the stage.  The red fruit is sweet and focused, and there’s a note of bitter cocoa that is typical of Nerello Mascalese. The tannins are refined and nicely balanced with the mineral finish. It will pair well with homemade pasta with porcini mushrooms, pork and all savory meat dishes.

– 2010 rated 93 W&S, 90 WS

– 2011 rated 91 WS, 91 W&S

– 2012  rated 91 WS, 92 Vinous, 90 WE

– 2013 rated 94 JS, 90 WE, 91 Vinous

– 2014 rated 91 Vinous

Winery	Vivera
Region	Sicilia
Varietal	90% Nerello Mascalese, 10% Nerello Cappuccio
Location of Vineyards	Linguaglossa, Contrada Martinella. Planted in 2003.
Orientation	North-Eastern slope of Mt. Etna
Altitude	600 meters above sea level
Type of Planting	100% Certified Organic
Soil	Volcanic soil with abundant rounded stones
Type of Cultivation	Vertical trellis, spur pruned cordon. 5,500 plants per hectare.
Vinification	Grapes are carefully selected and picked by hand usually during the first half of October. Frmentation at controlled temperatures (79-84F) for 15 days.
Aging	The wine is racked and matures in used 225lt French oak barriques for about 24 months, and it is refined in bottle for an additional 16 months before release. Martinella has proven to evolve beautifully with bottle age adn the release of the most recent vintages has been purposedly delayed to allow the wine to fully develop prior to release.
Alcohol Content	13.5%
Total Production	14,000 bottles
Oenologist	Irene Vaccaro, Loredana Vivera