Magnum Munjebel Red 2013

Magnum Munjebel Rouge 2013,

Frank Cornelissen

Rich, fragrant, with beautiful, melted tannins and the smoothness of ripe fruit, Munjebel Rouge is a classic, classified as DOP Etna Rosso or IGP Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese. Among Frank Cornelissen's cuvées, this one best represents the typicality of the northern Etna valley. It is a true bouquet of wild red fruits, pure classic Nerello Mascalese, aromatic and balanced, carrying all the crispness of ripe fruit, with a Pinot Noir edge and a brilliant translucent color. Munjebel comes from several plots, including those from which the greatest vintages of the azienda come (Zottorinoto, Feudo di Mezzo-Porcaria, Pontale Palino), and from vines specially dedicated to this vintage: Rampante, Piano Daini and Crasà. It is vinified with indigenous yeasts, without additives or sulfites, unclarified and minimally filtered before bottling.

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A key figure in natural wine, a universally respected figure in this category of wines, Frank Cornelissen is a classic. This man of constant questioning lives in human and cosmic resonance with his contrasting terroir: he has demonstrated that the powerful minerality of a great volcanic soil can be highlighted by the naturalness of his wines. The brilliance, the directness and the exquisite fruitiness of his vintages earn him the admiration even of those reluctant to accept "natural". These are good introductory wines.
His Sicilian azienda is located in Passopisciaro, in the northern Etna Valley. It is, he says, the "Night Coast" of Etna for the great diversity of its wines spread over many locations (contrade) at different altitudes. The climate is continental and harsh, even snowy, in winter, but very warm and sunny from June to September. The altitude gives the wines tension and elegance. The vines coexist with a Mediterranean mixed crop: olive trees, almond trees, vegetable gardens... (Frank also produces olive oil). The vines range in age from forty to over one hundred years. The nineteen plots, covering twenty-four hectares in total, are all at altitude, between 600 and 900 meters, on several volcanic flows. They are all vinified separately: Frank decides on the blend based on the quality of the wines from each plot. In general, seven or eight vintages are produced in addition to the generic wines (rosé, basic red, and white). The soils are made up of different types of basalt, between powder and rock, with perfect drainage that allows for the production of concentrated and refined wines. Nerello Mascalese dominates the estate's grape varieties. This great traditional red grape variety from the northern valley of Etna is the only grape variety used in the great vintages. Its growing cycle is long, which allows the vine to work the soil and capture its minerality in the fruit. Other grape varieties include: Nerello Capuccio, Minella Bianco, Minella Nera, Alicante Bouschet, Malvasia, Cattaratto, Moscadella, Grecanico Dorato, Carricante, etc.