Tenuta Di Fessina Musmeci Riserva 2016

If you want to understand why the wine world has been obsessed with Sicily for the last decade, look no further than the late Silvia Maestrelli’s Tenuta di Fessina. This isn’t just volcanic wine; it’s a bottled history of the northern slopes of Mt. Etna.

The Musmeci Riserva is the crown jewel of the estate. Sourced from a single, ancient vineyard in the contrada of Rovittello, these vines are over 80 years old, tucked away at nearly 700 meters of elevation. At this age, the Nerello Mascalese isn’t just producing fruit; it’s distilling the essence of the dark, sandy volcanic soil into something truly ethereal.

The 2016 vintage was a balanced growing season that allowed for incredible phenolic ripeness without losing that signature Etna acidity. This is a bottle for the patient collector. While it’s showing beautifully now with a vigorous decant, the 2016 Riserva has the bones to evolve for another decade. It’s a soulful, hauntingly beautiful expression of Nerello Mascalese that favors elegance over raw power.