Frank Cornelissen (1.5 L) 2017 MunJebel Rosso VA, Terre Siciliane IGP (Etna)

Frank Cornelissen (1.5 L) 2017 MunJebel Rosso VA, Terre Siciliane IGP (Etna)

Item Number: 14106

UPC: None

Country: Italy
Region: Sicily
Sub Region: Catania
Appellation/AVA: Terre Siciliane IGT
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vintage: 2017
Grape(s): 100% Nerello Mascalese
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 1.5 L
Pack: 6
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 15
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Soil Type: Volcanic

MunJebel Rosso VA is the most Burgundian of all the crus, this pure Nerello Mascalese is a blend of Frank’s 3 highest vineyards (Vigne Alte): Tartaraci (1,000 meters asl), Monte Dolce (870 meters asl), and Pettinociarelle (890 meters asl). It expresses beautifully the value and precision of the old vines, ungrafted Nerello Mascalese on the high terraces in the northern valley of Mount Etna. The average vine age is 90+ years. 2017 is quite pretty with refined tannins.

Vintage Notes: Overall 2017 was an excellent, dry vintage in Sicily. If you love Frank wines, then you should buy every bottle of this vintage!

Winemaking Notes: All of Frank's red wines are produced the same way. Grapes are destemmed and lightly crushed before a 60-day skin fermentation with wild yeast in neutral epoxy tanks (2,500-7,000 liters or 1,500-2,500 liters for crus). Wines are not fined. They are filtered before bottling with cartridges of 3-5 micron. Sulfite additions can vary from 0 to 30 mg/l. added depending on the quality of grapes and stability of the wine.

Appellation Notes: Some of Frank's vineyards are too high in elevation for the Etna DOP, so he uses the Terre Siciliane IGT for the sake of uniformity.

Reviews

  • Vinous
    Rating: 92 (6/10/2021)
    The 2017 Mascalese Munjebel VA wafts up with a layered yet lifted display, as white smoke, cardamom and peppery herbs give way to crushed cherries and hints of clove. It’s silky and pliant in feel, motivated by juicy acidity that enlivens its tart and spicy woodland berry fruit. A subtle coating of sweet tannins and hints of hard red candies linger, contrasted by salty minerals, making for a nicely balanced and lightly structured finale. This is such a pretty expression of the vintage, and it’s already drinking very well.