Frank Cornelissen Munjebel VA Terre Siciliane Rosso 2022

Grape: Nerello Mascalese
Vintage: 2022
Type: Red

This high-altitude red wine is a blend of old, ungrafted nerello mascalese vines from three elevated valley parcels. Frank Cornelissen harvests the fruit from the Tartaraci, Rampante, and Barbabecchi vineyards situated on the northern slopes of Mount Etna. The vines grow directly into rocky basalt soils, forcing the roots deep and locking in high natural acidity. The winemaking relies entirely on spontaneous native fermentation, completely avoiding wood barrel components or added sulfur.

It exhibits a translucent ruby hue, releasing a perfumed nose of wild raspberry, cranberry, and fresh violet petals. On the palate, a medium-bodied frame shows an elegant fluidity, pairing crunchy red fruit with a distinct mineral tension. Fine-grained, chalky tannins provide a subtle structural grip across the mid-palate without feeling heavy. A clean wave of mountain acidity cuts through the texture, maintaining great freshness. It concludes bone-dry, leaving a Burgundian trace.