Tenuta Aglaea Etna Rosso Thalia 2017

Tenuta Aglaea is a tiny estate on the North side of Etna covering only 1.8 hectares across three vineyard sites; the miniscule and excellent vineyard Bocca d’Orzo (.3 ha) in the zone of Randazzo combined with Passo Cannone (1 ha) and Santo Spirito (.5 ha) in the zone of Passopisciaro. A new vineyard has also been replanted (Passo Cannone) and will be in full production in 2019. Owned by longtime wine professional Anne-Louise Mikkelssen the estate is all about meticulaous attetion to detail and her philosophy of having the wines be a faithful expression of the terroir.

What makes this wine 'Thalia' great is that this representation of place is undeniable. High up on the slopes of Mount Enta on the Italian Island of Sicily, Nerello Mascalese is grown in mineral rich volcanic soils. The soil made up eruptive materials such of lava, sand and ash along with the altitude restrict the vigour of the vine producing a concentrated yet vibrant refreshing red. 

The tell-tale grilled cherry and smokey herb with a wild ferrous note. Lifted and pretty but wild at the same time. This wine is gentle and soft yet with great purity and length, the perfect summer drinking red. PWS