Graci Siciliana Rosso IGT Contrada Barbabecchi 2015

From one of the highest growing sites on Etna (at 1,000 meters above sea level), the 2015 Quota 1000 Barbabecchi is an IGT wine because the physical limits of the appellation do not extend this high up the flank of the volcano. This is an elegant and complete expression of Nerello Mascalese that offers dark and compact fruit followed by elegant floral tones of wild rose and dark violets. This sultry expression shows balsam herb, tar, cigar box and salty mineral. The wine ends on a dry note, especially in this warm vintage, but there is enough acidity and firmness of texture to counter those dry or dusty tannins. Give the wine an extra year or two of bottle age to fill out further. I would have scored this wine higher if it were not for the dusty and astringent nature of the tannins, which feel a little unbalanced in my opinion.