Benanti
About Benanti
Situated near the foot of Mount Ena on the Italian island of Sicily, Cantina Benanti has been family owned and operated since the late 1800s. Benanti is one of the most historic estates in the region. Bringing these electrifying wines to the global stage, Robert M. Parker Jr once rated them as “among the best made on the volcano today”. Monica Larner (Wine Advocate) goes even further, declaring that their Pietra Marina is “the wine that, when I tasted it many years ago, made me fall in love with Etna”.
Despite this heritage, this Sicilian gem has taken an entirely updated and modern approach to viticulture with particular respect and reverence shown for the island's rich, distinctive volcanic soils and indigenous grape varieties. The star of Benanti is rising among Italian wineries with its bottles increasingly sought after at home and abroad.
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Sicily | 9 | 97 (DC) | $736.00 | |||||
Decanter (97)This definitive wine of pure Carricante is given extensive contact on the lees, without wood, taking its structure from the grapes and terroir. Pale with golden highlights, it offers iodised notes on the expressive nose and an almost shy (still very young) palate that builds slowly in the mouth to a finale of energy and length. |
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Sicily | 3 | 95 (VN) | $658.00 | |||||
Vinous (95)The 2019 Etna Bianco Superiore Pietra Marina captivates. It’s perfumed and floral, with enriching notes of almond paste and confectionery spice that perfectly accentuate a smoky core of white peaches. There’s more lift on the palate, but it's a little backward, possessing wiry textures and an intense mineral core that adds depth to its citrus-inflected orchard fruits. Nervous acidity forces the mouth to water and maintains a dazzling freshness as inner florals resonate and a sour lime concentration settles in. The 2019 is just an infant today, compact yet complex, balanced and loaded with character. It will be a gorgeous Etna Bianco to follow over the next decade or more. |
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Sicily | 1 | 97 (JS) | $321.00 | |||||
James Suckling (97)Stand back as this extremely intense and vibrant Etna dry white arrives! As many herbal and positively vegetal aromas as white fruit and citrus. Super-sleek and focused palate with a dangerous amount of mineral energy and samurai sword acidity. The finish lasts for minutes! Enormous aging potential. Drink or hold. |
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Sicily | 3 | - | $397.00 | |||||
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Sicily | 1 | 97 (JS) | $273.00 | |||||
James Suckling (97)It's time to taste the volcano! Although this is still very young, it has an amazingly refined nose that reminds us of top-class red Burgundy. Quite full-bodied, but super-elegant and transparent, with very fine tannins that build to a stunning crescendo at the mineral finish. Patience will be rewarded! Drinkable now, but best from 2023. |
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Sicily | 6 | - | $393.00 | |||||
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Sicily | 4 | 93 (JD) | $254.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (93)Pouring a medium garnet color, the 2022 Etna Rosso Contrada Monte Serra is elegant and refined with ripe cherries, chalky earth, strawberries, wild herbes de Provence, and dusty earth. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a stony, savory finish, it’s graceful and refined, with a Burgundian-like aesthetic. Drink 2025-2037. |
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Sicily | 10 | - | $170.00 | |||||
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Sicily | 2 | - | $131.00 | |||||
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Sicily | 9 | 96 (JD) | $672.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (96)Minty and lifted, the 2015 Etna Rosso Riserva Rovittello has notes of fresh black cherries, sage, rosemary, and fresh leather. With ripe tannins and even acidity, it’s long on the palate, lasting for ages. It has a deeper profile, although it’s also more elegant and long. One of the top wines in this tasting, drink it over the next 15 years. Drink 2025-2040. |
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Sicily | 2 | 94 (JD) | $756.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (94)Incredibly structured, the garnet red 2015 Etna Rosso Riserva Serra Della Contessa exudes a noble feel, offering a complex yet pure array of aromas, including dried cherries, dried orange, dried herbs, spice, and smoky earth. Medium-bodied but deep and long on the palate, it is hitting its stride, though it should have another ten or more years ahead of it. I wouldn’t expect it to soften much in terms of its grip. Drink 2025-2037. |
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Sicily | 2 | - | $736.00 | |||||
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Sicily | 4 | - | $739.00 | |||||
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Sicily | 6 | - | $186.00 | |||||
