Tanca Nica Terra Forte Terre Siciliane 2023

Tanca Nica Terra Forte Terre Siciliane 2023

Tanca Nica
$80.00

Grape: Zibibbo
Vintage: 2023
Type: Orange

This 100% Zibibbo comes from a specific parcel of old bush vines grown on the volcanic terraces of Pantelleria. Terra Forte undergoes a more intensive skin maceration to extract the full power and oiliness of the grape. It is a deep, savory white wine that shows a totally different side of the variety.

It pours a deep golden-amber color and opens with aromas of dried apricot, preserved orange peel, and wild fennel. On the palate: a rich, texturally dense mouthfeel backed by a fine, chalky grip. Flavors of candied citrus, sea salt, and black tea. A bright, saline acidity balances the wine's natural weight, leading into a long finish that leaves a persistent, stony mineral impression.

In the Pantescan dialect, "Terra Forte" refers to soils that do not contain pumice, but rather very fine red sand, a breakdown of basalt and obsidian. This type of terroir is quite rare on Pantelleria. Terra Forte is a blend of two contradas of very old vines, Bonsulton planted in 1930 and Scirafi planted in 1948. Only 1000 bottles are produced annually.

Tanca Nica is a tiny Pantelleria estate run by Francesco Ferreri and Nicoletta Bocca, working old bush vines on the island's black volcanic soils. Pantelleria is better known for sweet Passito di Pantelleria, but Tanca Nica explores a broader, wilder language for Zibibbo, Catarratto, Pignatello and other local grapes. Farming here is necessarily heroic: low alberello vines crouch against wind, drought and sun, often in small stone-walled parcels. The wines are made with minimal intervention and can be dry, macerated, salty and intensely Mediterranean, carrying caper, citrus peel, herbs, sea air and the isolation of the island.