Barone di Villagrande 2022 Contrada Monte Ilice, Etna Rosso DOC

Barone di Villagrande 2022 Contrada Monte Ilice, Etna Rosso DOC

Item Number: 22174

UPC: None

Country: Italy
Region: Sicily
Sub Region: Catania
Appellation/AVA: Etna DOC
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vineyard Designation: Contrada Monte Ilice
Vintage: 2022
Grape(s): 80% Nerello Mascalese / 20% Other
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 13
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Soil Type: Volcanic sand
Elevation: 700-850 meters

Aging: 500-liter chestnut barrels for 12 months and one year in bottle.

Tasting Notes: Floral sensations, red fruits and light balsamic hints show on the nose. The taste is persistent with red fruit and light tannin. Drinking beautifully now, this wine will age lovely for 20 years.

Terroir Notes: Between the towns of Trecastagni and Zafferana Etnea stands Monte Ilice , a large volcanic cone that was formed following the lava and explosive activity that occurred in medieval period, estimated around 1030. A large lava field was produced from an effusive vent positioned on the east side of its base. This reached the coast giving birth to the characteristic black cliffs of Stazzo and Pozzillo. This magical and wild place offers a vast view of the Etna, from the mountains of Taormina to the Etna coast. Cultivating land in here is a challenge for the most daring with the average slope at 60%. The tillage of the land is strictly manual without any use of machinery. The sand (called the “Ripiddu”) with the slope makes the simplest movements complex. Barone di Villagrande owns 1.6ha.

Reviews

  • Gambero Rosso
    Rating: Tre Bicchier (11/4/2024)
    Etna Rosso Contrada Monte Ilice 2022 by Barone di Villagrande, made from Nerello Mascalese and other native varieties, perfectly expresses the volcanic terroir: it has aromas alternating floral and red fruit notes, with balsamic and smoky accents. Elegant and balanced on the palate, it leaves a persistent cherry flavour and a wonderfully fresh, velvety tannin structure.
  • Decanter
    Rating: 91 (5/9/2025)
    An old vineyard stuffed with indigenous varieties at up to 900m on the extinct crater of Ilice on the south side of Etna. In fact, the winery is working with the University of Catania to try and identify them all. Structural cherry and herbs emphasise the altitude of the vines, while spicy wood undertones will integrate with time. Lovely freshness.
  • Vinous
    Rating: 92 (5/29/2025)

    The 2022 Etna Rosso Contrada Monte Ilice impresses with a sweetly spiced bouquet of cloves and cinnamon sticks, giving way to scents of dried black cherries. Soft-textured and soothingly round, it sweeps across the palate with ease while displaying rose-tinged wild berry fruit notes. This leaves a subtle twang of licorice and a bitter bite of dark chocolate on the gently tannic finish.