I Vigneri di (Salvo Foti) Etna Rosso Vinupetra 2023

This comes from a vineyard of century-old vines of Nerello Mascalese (making up 80% of the blend), Nerello Cappuccio, and Grenache (10% each), although since the vines are so old, there's a distinct possibility that other varieties, whose names are long forgotten, make their way into the blend. They are planted on sandy and stony soils and are bush-trained, as is the custom of the island. Vinupetra is Foti's tête de cuvée, in a way, with its power and concentration. The structure is commanding, and balancing the dark fruit are notes of smoke, salt, and herbs.
 
"The expressive 2023 Etna Rosso Vinupetra opens in the glass with a wild mix of blood orange, sour cherry, rosemary and crushed stone. It's soft-textured yet lifted and feminine in style, with a tart berry concentration that saturates toward the close. This finishes with a mass of tension, mixing edgy tannins with primary fruit under an air of violet inner florals. The 2023 will need time to find its balance, but this shows remarkable complexity. 94pts" — Eric Guido, Vinous