Nawàri

Vineyard and terroir

Nawàri comes from 4.53 hectares on Etna’s northern slope at Passopisciaro. Two vineyards occupy terraces at different elevations, between 830 and 860 metres above sea level. The sandy soil has a neutral pH, little active limestone and a good proportion of organic matter. Winters are cold, summers dry and mild, and the site experiences a marked difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. The vines were planted in 2004 at an average density of 4,800 plants per hectare and yield approximately 30–40 quintals per hectare. They are trained on a vertical trellis and spur-pruned, with three or four spurs per vine.

Grapes

100% Pinot Nero. Nawàri grew out of the estate’s experimental introduction of Pinot Nero to the slopes of Etna and became part of the Le Icone collection.

Vinification

The 2020 grapes were picked by hand on 5 September into approximately 3 kg crates and carried to the winery in a refrigerated truck. After unloading, the fruit underwent further selection on a conveyor belt. The bunches were destemmed and transferred to the fermenter, where alcoholic fermentation and maceration of pulp and skins took place at 26–28 °C. Once fermentation ended, the wine remained on the skins for another week. It was then racked and completed malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks.

Ageing

The wine matured for 12–14 months in new and second-use oak barriques made from fine-grained, lightly toasted wood. Bottle maturation lasted at least one year before release.

Technical data

The 2020 has 13.5% alcohol, total acidity of 6.4 g/L and a pH of 3.40. The published bottle format is 75 cl.

Tasting profile

The colour is an intense, luminous red. Red berries, wild blackberry and redcurrant lead the aroma, joined by white pepper and tobacco notes developed during barrique maturation. The palate is vertical and structured, with present yet enveloping tannins and a persistent finish.

Serving and pairing

A match for elaborate meat dishes such as roast duck and game, as well as mature cheeses, pasta with ragù and platters of cured meats.

Vintage notes

A cool spring and late rainfall supplied useful water reserves for the 2020 growing season. Although daytime temperatures were high in summer, the stored soil moisture, dry and ventilated conditions and strong day-to-night temperature variation supported complete ripening.