97 points Daniele Cernilli (Doctor Wine)
94+ points Ian D'Agata (Vinous): "Good full bright red. Captivating aromas of red cherry, raspberry, quinine, powdered rocks and violet. Big, dense and mineral with no easy sweetness to the rich ripe but refined red fruit and stony flavors. Finishes extremely long and with a multifaceted personality, but this young, still brooding wine needs time. Drink: 2021-2026. (Aug 2019)"
94 points Monica Larner (WIne Advocate): "Alta Mora reveals its high-value cards with this wine. The 2016 Etna Rosso Guardiola is a carefully manicured wine from an excellent growing site and a classic vintage. It has benefited from long bottle age (following 18 months in large oak casks), and that extra time in glass has proven fundamental for the balance and fruit integrity displayed here. It shows dried cherry and redcurrant with dusty tannins and lasting notes of campfire ash. The mouthfeel ends on a dry note. Ultimately, the palate feels more mature than the bouquet does. Alta Mora farms three hectares in Contrada Guardiola with ancient alberello (or bush-trained) pre-phylloxera vines. Production is limited to 4,000 bottles. Drink 2023-2035 (Jun 2023)."
93 points James Button (Decanter): "Just 3,000 bottles of this 100% Nerello Mascalese were produced in 2016, from vines in Contrada Guardiola in north Etna at around 800m with an average age of 150 years. The fruit is macerated for 18-21 days followed by a soft pressing. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel, followed by ageing in 30 and 50hL barrels for 18 months. Tight and tannic, it showcases a muscular framework allied to perfumed red cherry, liquorice, touches of black cherry richness and terracotta, and a stony, mineral finish. Plenty of potential. Drinking Window: 2022-2034. (May 2022)"
93 points James Suckling: "Smoked meat, volcanic ash, licorice and wild cherries. It’s medium-bodied with fine, silky tannins. Delightfully mineral with spice, dried herbs and berries on the palate. Leather and dust on the finish. Slightly austere, but solid. Drink or hold. (11/16/20)"
93 points Kerin O'Keefe (Wine Enthusiast): "[$58 list] Aromas of fragrant purple flower, underbrush, Mediterranean scrub and fragrant spice shape the nose. Focused and elegantly structured, the vibrant palate features ripe black cherry, raspberry, licorice and a hint of saline alongside tightly wound, fine-grained tannins that grip the close. Drink 2022–2028. Alcohol 14%. (Dec 2020)"
92 points Falstaff Guide.
92 points Wine Spectator: "[$58 list] An appealing note of ripe black raspberry is pure and lightly juicy, leading the way in this grippy, mineral-driven red. It's layered with accents of licorice snap, sage, orange peel and a smoky tang of hot iron. Quite elegant through the the finish, where the dense tannins hold sway for now, recommending short-term cellaring or decanting. Best from 2023 through 2028. 225 cases made, 50 cases imported. (2021)"
94+ points Ian D'Agata (Vinous): "Good full bright red. Captivating aromas of red cherry, raspberry, quinine, powdered rocks and violet. Big, dense and mineral with no easy sweetness to the rich ripe but refined red fruit and stony flavors. Finishes extremely long and with a multifaceted personality, but this young, still brooding wine needs time. Drink: 2021-2026. (Aug 2019)"
94 points Monica Larner (WIne Advocate): "Alta Mora reveals its high-value cards with this wine. The 2016 Etna Rosso Guardiola is a carefully manicured wine from an excellent growing site and a classic vintage. It has benefited from long bottle age (following 18 months in large oak casks), and that extra time in glass has proven fundamental for the balance and fruit integrity displayed here. It shows dried cherry and redcurrant with dusty tannins and lasting notes of campfire ash. The mouthfeel ends on a dry note. Ultimately, the palate feels more mature than the bouquet does. Alta Mora farms three hectares in Contrada Guardiola with ancient alberello (or bush-trained) pre-phylloxera vines. Production is limited to 4,000 bottles. Drink 2023-2035 (Jun 2023)."
93 points James Button (Decanter): "Just 3,000 bottles of this 100% Nerello Mascalese were produced in 2016, from vines in Contrada Guardiola in north Etna at around 800m with an average age of 150 years. The fruit is macerated for 18-21 days followed by a soft pressing. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel, followed by ageing in 30 and 50hL barrels for 18 months. Tight and tannic, it showcases a muscular framework allied to perfumed red cherry, liquorice, touches of black cherry richness and terracotta, and a stony, mineral finish. Plenty of potential. Drinking Window: 2022-2034. (May 2022)"
93 points James Suckling: "Smoked meat, volcanic ash, licorice and wild cherries. It’s medium-bodied with fine, silky tannins. Delightfully mineral with spice, dried herbs and berries on the palate. Leather and dust on the finish. Slightly austere, but solid. Drink or hold. (11/16/20)"
93 points Kerin O'Keefe (Wine Enthusiast): "[$58 list] Aromas of fragrant purple flower, underbrush, Mediterranean scrub and fragrant spice shape the nose. Focused and elegantly structured, the vibrant palate features ripe black cherry, raspberry, licorice and a hint of saline alongside tightly wound, fine-grained tannins that grip the close. Drink 2022–2028. Alcohol 14%. (Dec 2020)"
92 points Falstaff Guide.
92 points Wine Spectator: "[$58 list] An appealing note of ripe black raspberry is pure and lightly juicy, leading the way in this grippy, mineral-driven red. It's layered with accents of licorice snap, sage, orange peel and a smoky tang of hot iron. Quite elegant through the the finish, where the dense tannins hold sway for now, recommending short-term cellaring or decanting. Best from 2023 through 2028. 225 cases made, 50 cases imported. (2021)"
| Product SKU | 346129 |
| Producer | Cusumano-Alta Mora |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| SubRegion | Etna DOC |
| Varietal | Other Red Wines |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | Nerello Mascalese |
| ABV | 14.0% |
| Ships To |
