2023 Monteleone - Etna Rosso DOC Rumex (750ml)

Monteleone is a small, family-run estate on Mount Etna, founded by husband and wife Benedetto and Giulia Monteleone. Rather than depicting the volcano itself, their labels showcase the wild flora and fauna found around their vineyards, a subtler reflection of the estate's connection to place. Since starting production, the winery has earned recognition including multiple Tre Bicchieri awards from Gambero Rosso, and 2023 marked the first vintage made using their own winemaking equipment.

Rumex comes from a single, century-old parcel on Etna's northern slope in Contrada Pontale Palino, at 680 meters above sea level. The vineyard forms a natural enclosure surrounded by sciara, mounds of hardened lava scoria, and survived the major eruption of 1911. The vines, planted with 100% Nerello Mascalese, are trained in the traditional alberello Etneo bush system. Grapes are hand-harvested at dawn, destemmed, and fermented in small tanks without temperature control, with daily punch-downs during a ten to twelve day maceration.

The finished wine shows a smoky character layered with red cherry, licorice, pomegranate, and cola, backed by graphite minerality. Medium bodied with crisp acidity and a chewy, tannic finish, it drinks well now but will continue to develop with age. Pair it with braised lamb, wild boar ragù, or aged pecorino.