Frank Cornelissen Magma 2021

Frank Cornelissen Magma is a natural red made on the northern slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily from the native Nerello Mascalese. A Belgian who began making wine here in 2001, Cornelissen works with minimal intervention, avoiding any external agents that might mask the volcanic landscape, and Magma is his most concentrated cuvée. The grapes grow on the black volcanic soils of Etna, a mix of decomposed lava, ash and sand at altitude, which drains freely and gives the wine its smoky, saline minerality and bright acidity. The wide diurnal range on the mountain slows ripening and preserves freshness despite the strength of the fruit. Fermentation runs on native yeasts with no additions, and the long skin contact extracts the colour and firm phenolic structure that mark the wine. The colour is deep, slightly cloudy ruby. The nose shows dark cherry, red berries, smoke and a salty, earthy edge. On the palate it is full bodied and structured, with firm tannins, vivid acidity and a long volcanic, saline finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant. Good with grilled red meat and game.