Monteleone

Background

Giulia Monteleone, along with her father Enrico, and boyfriend Benedetto Alessandro; a winemaker by trade, take care of this micro-estate on the Northern slope of Mt. Etna.  They currently farm old-vine Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio in Contrada Cuba on the Northern slope and Contrada Rumex on the Eastern slope of the volcano as well as Carricante in Sant’Alfio. Although the project’s first release was just recently in 2017, many of the Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappucio plants in their care are ancient pre-phylloxera vines averaging 100+ years of age. This allows a unique opportunity for fresh winemaking philosophies and young minds to work with venerable and important grape material. 

Upper Contrada Cuba is the parcel holding the oldest vines and was planted to Albarello (bush vine) style Nerello Mascalese in 1935.  The lower section was planted in 1970 using the espalier trellis training method.  This vineyard totals 2ha and account for the current Etna Rosso production on the estate which remains around 5,600 bottles.  Contrada Rumex is currently in production, but remains unreleased as of this date.   The Contrada Cuba bottling is produced from the oldest portions of the vineyard, where production totals 1,250 bottles annually.  The classic Etna Rosso also comes from this vineyard, but from the plots planted in 1970. The plot accounts for the remaining 4, 350 bottles of Etna Rosso DOC currently made at Monteleone.  The Etna Bianco Anthemis is created from a .6ha plot of young Carricante vines planted in 2008.  The Anthemis is a true micro-lot at just under 750 bottles produced a year.

The WIne

Qubba (Cuba)

The U. S. version of this wine unfortunately must be labeled “Quba” as the label would not be approved if it had “Cuba” as the name of the wine.  We can agree to pronounce it the same way and it certainly doesn’t change the great juice in this bottle.  Contrada Cuba is pure old-vine Nerello Mascalese with tight and marbled texture chiseled out of the Volcano and layered over with jammy, wild ripe fruits and zesty citrus mist.  Brambly spice and wet stone give a seamless entry to the cocoa and fresh raspberry highlights on the luscious, supple finish.

Appellation:  Etna Rosso DOC

Varietal:  100% Nerello Mascalese

Vineyard site:  Cuba

Vineyard altitude:  500masl

Vine Training:  Etnean Alberello (head trained bush vine)

Vineyard age:  Upper parcel planted 1935

Vineyard size:  2ha

Soil type:  typical volcanic soil with sandy topsoil

Harvest:  Manual / destemmed

Yield:  40 ql/ha

Fermentation:  Small temperature controlled stainless steel tank with selected yeasts 10-12 days with manual cap punch down

Aging:  Racked from stainless steel to 700l French tonneaux where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and ages 12 months before bottle refinement of 8 months.

Production:  1250 bottles

Etna Rosso

The Etna Bianco Anthemis is a lush and persistent interpretation of beautiful, young Carricante vines.  A forward yet sophisticated wine that presents soft lemon cream and sun melon upfront with high toned fresh salinity and acidity through the mid-palate and refined finish.

Appellation:  Etna Rosso DOC

Varietal:  100% Nerello Mascalese

Vineyard site:  Cuba

Vineyard altitude:  500masl

Vine Training:  Etnean Alberello (head trained bush vine)

Vineyard age:  Upper parcel planted 1935

Vineyard size:  2ha

Soil type:  typical volcanic soil with sandy topsoil

Harvest:  Manual / destemmed

Yield:  40 ql/ha

Fermentation:  Small temperature controlled stainless steel tank with selected yeasts 10-12 days with manual cap punch down

Aging:  Racked from stainless steel to 700l French tonneaux where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and ages 12 months before bottle refinement of 8 months.

Production:  1250 bottles