Etna, Sicily: I Custodi delle Vigne
Website: https://www.icustodi.it/?lang=en
Natural winemaking from organically certified vines. I Custodi work with 5 parcels in the North and Southeast of Etna totalling 14 hectares, farmed organically, with a production of 19 000 bottles. They are part of the I Vigneri group put together by Salvo Foti (with five producers in it).
I Custodi delle Vigne Etna Bianco 2022
This is a Cariccante-based blend. Lively, bright and mineral with lovely citrus and pear fruity showing good focus. Some mineral notes and a hint of bitterness on the finish. Lovely. 92/100
I Custodi delle Vigne Imbris Etna Bianco Superiore 2019
100% Carricante. Complex, linear and nutty with nice weight and notes of aniseed, spice, pear and white peach. It also has an appealing stony, spicy quality too. Shows power and intensity. 94/100
I Custodi delle Vigne Ante Etna Bianco 2020
100% Carricante, aged in stainless steel. Lovely weight. This is stony and mineral with a subtle nuttiness. Powerful on the palate with lively acidity and good focus. Powerful yet precise. 95/100
I Custodi delle Vigne Pistus Etna Rosso 2021
80% Nerello Mascalese, 20% Nerello Cappuccio. Stainless steel only. This is mineral and very fine with red cherry, spice and a hint of earth. Lovely vivid fruit here with some sour cherry and a nice twist on the finish. 92/100
I Custodi delle Vigne Aetneus Etna Rosso 2019
Old vines with a Nerello Mascalese dominance, aged in stainless steel and barrel. Mineral with pear, peach, cherry and citrus, as well as some sweet strawberries. Nice complexity here and lovely texture. Very fine. 94/100
