Description
The farm and vineyards are located in the Northern valley of the Etna, an active volcano, in Sicily. Nowadays the northern valley is considered as Etna’s top area for single-vineyard (contrada) red wines like the “Côtes-de-Nuits” in Burgundy or Piemonte’s “Barolo” area. The estate’s surface area is approximately 24 hectares, of which 13ha are old vines in the classic free standing alberello training system (Gobelet or bush-vine), 9ha of old vines transformed into modern rows with various width, approximately 2ha of olive growth and the remainder are fruit trees, vegetables and bush. Although Etna has a tradition in high density plantation of vines, Cornelissen seeks to reduce monoculture and has thus interplanted various local fruit varieties which attract bees to regain a complex ecosystem. The new vineyards are planted without grafts, using a selection of our original, ungrafted vines.
Cornelisson’s farming philosophy is based on acceptance of the fact that man will never be able to understand nature’s full complexity and interactions, hence they choose to concentrate on observing and learning the movements of Mother Earth in her various energetic and cosmic passages and prefer to follow her indications as to what to do, instead of deciding and imposing ourselves.
MUNJEBEL® ROSSO FM, CONTRADA FEUDO DI MEZZO – SOTTANA
Feudo di Mezzo as a contrada is very vaste and therefore I prefer to separate the bottom part (sottana) from the upper part (soprana or Porcaria). Although lower in the valley floor, the wines are of an unusual elegance which characterizes this area. Relatively deep soil which, in humid vintages can create some problems although the well ventilated site helps to get ripeness. Burgundian elegance and roundness, even in hot vintages makes this a special wine with finesse as it’s personality.
Tasting Notes
The 2016 Munjebel Rosso FM Feudo di Mezzo Sottana is another direct, steady and focused interpretation in this exciting lineup of new releases. This wine shows more fleshiness and volume with aromas of black fruit and tar, framed by smoked bacon and savory tobacco. You also get transparent varietal typicity with subtle notes of black olive, licorice and aniseed. [ 92 Points, Monica Larner – December 2018, robertparker.com]
