Etna, Sicily: Tenuta Boccarossa
Website: http://www.tenutaboccarossa.it/
Michele Calabretta was working in the car industry, and it led him to Germany where he met his wife Claudia. But he has roots in Etna: the Calabretta Family moved to Passopisciaro in the 1880s, and began to cultivate vines, among other things. Michele’s grandfather established a successful distillery, but the wine industry became problematic and the family sold their land.
But Michele and his wife came back and began making wine, and acquiring old vineyards. They began selling wine in 2018, and now have 3 hectares of vines, including some that used to be in the family but were abandoned. They are converting the old distillery into a winery, and have more land that they’d like to plant. These are beautiful wines with real personality.
THE WINES
Tenuta Boccarossa Etna Bianco 2022
A single Carricante vineyard on the north slope (Pontalli Palino contrada). Nice density here with a herby, pithy edge to the sweet pear, white peach and cherry fruit. There’s a hint of mint, too. 93/100
Tenuta Boccarossa Etna Rosso 2020
100% Nerello Mascalese from the San Lorenzo contrada. 80 year old vines, open vats punched down, then aged in old oak and stainless steel. Lighter colour. Juicy and mineral with a nose of red cherries and strawberries. Has lovely stony notes. Stylish with a savoury twist. 94/100
Tenuta Boccarossa Etna Rosso 2021
This is a different cuvée in 2021 even though it has the same name, with a different vineyard source. Stony and mineral with sour cherries and plums, showing good acidity and structure. Fine and mineral with lovely spices. So fine: needs time. 95/100
See: the main Etna page
