I found the Etna Rossos from Graci among the top wines I tasted for this year's report. ERIC GUIDO, Vinous.com
This is a terrific introduction to the wines of Sicily's Mount Etna from one of the most talented winemakers on the volcano, Alberto Graci. MONICA LARNER, Wine Advocate
Don’t make the mistake of ignoring the non-vineyard designated wines, which often offer a level of unparalleled quality, usually higher than what you’d expect from a village-level Burgundy. Many Etna producers use Etna Rosso and Etna Bianco to showcase the variety of their vineyards, not just an “entry-level” wine. Vinous.com
It's a good day when we can offer you a brilliant Etna Bianco and Rosso duo from one of the original Etna "protagonists", Alberto Graci.
Graci, along with the likes of Salvio Foti, Frank Cornelissen, Marco de Grazia and Andrea Franchetti, formed a small band of renegades who invested in Etna at a time when many were diversting themselves of their vineyards, no longer able to make them financially viable. Alberto was somewhat of an outsider, he had retunred to Sicily from Rome where he had been working as a banker in the early 2000s upon the death of his Grandfather. Rather than take over his Grandfather's vineyards, he sold them and invested up on the volcano, where he strongly believed there were more exciting wines to be made. He was right.
Graci’s main property is in Passopisciaro, in the northeast part of Etna called Acurìa at around 600-700m above sea level, but he also has a plot in Contrada Barbabecchi which sits at a toweing1000m. He works with an incredible collection of pre-phylloxera, ungrafted wines that reach towards 100 years of age. It's a special slice of heaven and today Graci crafts some of the most incredible and indelible wines on the volcano.
The jewel in the crown here is the rare Barbabecchi contrada, which comes with a signifcant price tag in tow. (As an aside I do have access to a small amount for those interested.) Today, though we are focusing on Graci's brilliant Etna Rosso and Bianco, two wines through which I think Graci consistantly delivers unbeatable value and all of that Etna character we crave so much.
Eric Guido hits the nail on the head in the note up top when he talks about the "unparralleled quality" that Etna Bianco and Rosso can to deliver in comparison to the same level village wines in Burgundy. While prices are on the rise on Etna, find a great Etna Bianco and Rosso from a top producer like Alberto Graci you have some of the best value wines to be found in Italy period! Graci delivers two excellent wines here for under $50.
Today, Alberto is one of the most respected growers on Etna, he is Vice President of the Consorzio and leads the vision for Etna from the front with his own brilliant collection of wines. I love the Bianco's mix of citrus and stone fruit seasoned with saline, mineral acidity. The Rosso oozes volcanic charm with bright red fruits and potpourri set against spice, smoke and a stoney finish. While Etna Rosso has lead the way for the region whites like this former deserve equal footing. What I guess I am saying is...buy both, you won't be disappointed.