A growing area born of volcanic eruptions that over centuries has developed into a valuable home for viticulture. Mainly free-living, prefillosserous vines, exposed to the most extreme climatic agents, develop on dark volcanic soils resulting from lava flows. Here Animardente was born. A name that tells the soul of the silent volcano, unexpected and incandescent, giving life to perpetual motion. An irrepressible and seductive force of nature, an expression of a unique terroir. The wine’s name derives precisely from the bowels of the volcano, its incessant activity, the heat and color of the magma.
Animardente is a pure nerello mascalese, produced from bush-trained vines rising 2297 feet above sea level, on soils that are sometimes sandy and ashy, sometimes pebbly and gravelly subjected to extreme day/night temperature swings. A seductive, powerful, textural, authentic wine. Light ruby red. Rich and opulent nose, with floral hints of violets, followed by jammy notes of cherries and blackberries, then mentholated tones, spices and dark tobacco taste. powerful and structured, with velvety tannins in balance with but a vibrant, crisp character. Finish of remarkable length and savoriness.
94 James Suckling Cherry red color with a garnet hue. It’s medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a fresh cherry, dried lemon and stone character. Crunchy and delicious. Hints of mineral and pumice at the end. Drink now.
92 Vinous The 2021 Etna Rosso Animardenta Santo Spirito is wickedly fresh, opening with a whiff of savory herbs and crushed rocks that gives way to wild strawberries and rose petals. This possesses a lovely inner sweetness that’s further enhanced by ripe red berries as autumnal spices swirl atop a core of grippy tannin. The 2021 finishes long, gently tannic and beautifully balanced. A note of licorice remains on the close.