Frank Cornelissen, "Munjebel Bianco 2017" 1.5L

This is a rare, slightly orange blend from Frank Cornelissen who tends 19 hectares of vines around eastern Sicily's volcanic Mt. Etna.

Tasting: Flinty, the watermark of etna's soil, opens the bouquet that is rife with perfectly-ripened stone fruit before a palate that is most remarkable in its texture -- velvety and broad-armed, backed with the citric acidity inherent to grecanico. A complex, delightful orange.

Vinification: A blend of Grecanico Dorato and Carricante hand-harvested from ~40 year-old vines grown in volcanic soils. The grapes are destemmed and gently pressed before a 4 day maceration. Spontaneous fermentation (ambient yeasts; no temp. control) takes place in large epoxy tanks before a medium-length élevage also in epoxy tanks. The wine is bottled unfined, extremely lightly filtered, and sees no additional SO2.