Famiglia Statella – Etna Rosso “Pignatuni” Vecchie Vigne 2020

95p, Robert Parker

With fruit from ancient vines, the Famiglia Statella 2019 Etna Rosso Pignatuni offers medium-rich concentration and presents a detailed bouquet with cassis, grilled herb, lavender and white pepper. The wine offers ample dimension and energy with a polished, linear style. This wine hits it out of the ballpark.

Here is another new discovery from Etna that I highly recommend. This winery was founded in 2018 by Calogero Statella and his wife Rita. The couple acquired their first vines in 2016 in Contrada Pettinociarelle (in the village of Castiglione di Sicilia) and made a wine that year. But it wasn’t until two years later when they purchased a parcel with old vines that their winemaking dreams came true. They make four wines: two reds from estate vines, one rosé and a white wine with organic grapes from the nearby village of Randazzo. I remain extremely excited by this group of wines.