Grape: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio
Region: Sicily, Italy
Ageing Potential: Drink now - 2028
Perfect with: Simple chargrilled steak, this wine is made to be the star!
Size: 750mL
You’ll love if you love: Silky smooth tannins, think top red Burgundy or Barbaresco

Why you’ll love it:

Romeo del Castello is an ancient vineyard on the steep slopes of one of the world’s most active volcano, Mount Etna in Sicily. A horrific eruption in 1981 wiped most of their vineyard, but luckily the Nerello Mascalese plots survived. Aged over 100 years old, they have now become one of the oldest vines in Sicily.  Extraordinarily some of the vines that were covered by lava are now regenerating through thick layers of molten rock and producing fruit again. The Vigo Etna Rosso is a fitting wine for a winery with such an incredible story. It is their top cuvee produced only in the best vintages. This makes it even more difficult to procure! Following organic farming methods, winemaker Chiara Vigo employs a minimalistic intervention approach with ageing in old French oaks, no filtering and minimal sulphur added. The end result is a stunning wine that is ever so ethereal and pure with great finesse. Words are not enough to describe the experience when drinking this wine.

Tastes Like?

Ruby red in colour with garnet rim, this wine is akin to a cross between a Grand Cru Burgundy and Barolo. Nose is concentrated with aromas of dark cherries, violets and dark berries with just a hint of wild leaf and volcanic ash. Palate is incredibly elegant and vibrant with silky, micro-fine fruit tannins that is just so refreshing. Loads of concentrated intense flavours of dark cherries, ripe berries, smoky sweet spice, star anise and cinnamon. Lovely long finish. It’s certainly a bottle you wish was bottomless.