Munjebel CR Red 2020

Munjebel CR Red 2020

Cornelissen

Munjebel CR is a single-plot red cuvée, certified organic (Eurofeuille), biodynamic, and natural. It is made from pure Nerello Mascalese grapes by Frank Cornelissen in the PDO (Personal Designation of Origin) Etna Rosso/PGI Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese. Munjebel CR comes from the Campo Re plot, which is partially ungrafted and approximately 70 years old, located in the far west of the valley at an altitude of 735 meters. The soil is deep, and ripeness is difficult to achieve in wet years. This gives a particular character to the wines from this plot, closer to Nebbiolo (a typical Tuscan grape variety) than the other reds from Azienda Frank Cornelissen.

Vinification

Grown biodynamically, the Nerello Mascalese grapes of Munjebel CR are destemmed and lightly crushed. Fermentation, starting from a starter culture and using indigenous yeasts, is accompanied by a 50-day skin maceration. No fining, light filtration before bottling.

Tasting

Munjebel CR is a deep, elegant and tannic wine. It may take a while to express itself. With its great freshness, it needs to be paired with meats with character. A roast rack of black pork from Bigorre, or a rib of beef from Wagyu or Angus from the Maison Aitana, that's the perfect match.

Learn more about Frank Cornelissen

A key and universally respected figure in natural, organic and biodynamic wine, Belgian Frank Cornelissen, a winemaker conquered by Sicily, is a classic. This man of constant questioning lives in human and cosmic resonance with his terroir: he has demonstrated that the powerful minerality of a great volcanic soil could be highlighted by the naturalness of his wines.

An ideal terroir for plot-by-plot vinification

In Passopisciaro, Sicily, in the north of the Etna valley, the 19 plots cover 24 hectares of basalt soils spread over numerous localities (contrade) between 600 and 900 meters above sea level on the side of the volcano. It is, says Frank Cornelissen, the "Night Coast of Sicily". Frank Cornelissen's contrade are all cultivated biodynamically and vinified separately: he decides on the blends based on the quality of each.

The nobility of Nerello Mascalese

Nerello Mascalese is the dominant variety and alone makes up the greatest vintages. This traditional red grape variety from the northern Etna valley produces hypermineral wines due to its long growing cycle. Other grape varieties in the azienda: Nerello Capuccio, Minella Bianco, Minella Nera, Alicante Bouschet, Malvasia, Catarratto, Moscadella, Grecanico Dorato, Carricante…