A couple of Benanti wines (Contrada Rinazzo Etna Bianco Superiores 2022 and 2020) were tasted at the ViniMilo 2025 White Grape Identity of Etna Masterclass.
Benanti was the pioneer of quality winemaking on Mt. Etna and its Pietra Marina, made initially by Salvo Foti, was long one of the finest wines made from the Carricante grape. After taking over management of the estate from their father, Antonio and Salvino have changed the style of their Etna Bianco Superiore as well as reconfigured the lineup. Pietra Marina is still the flagship white but its aging regime has been extended (on lees in stainless steel vats or 30 months plus 1 year in bottle). Two Contrada Biancos have been added to the lineup (Contrada Rinazzo Etna Bianco Superiore and Contrada Cavalieri Etna Bianco) with the Bianco Superiore fermented and aged in stainless steel vats on lees for 12 months and in bottle for an additional 6 months.
Grapes for the Bianco Superiores are sourced from the same Milo vineyard, with the Pietra Marina wine being made from the highest-elevation vines. The physical environment of the Contrada Rinazzo vineyard is as follows:
The Milo growing season notes from Brandon Tokash are as follows:
2022 — This was a hot, dry summer, hotter than normal especially at night. I thought that the Carricante was bigger, perhaps rounder with less tension and acid. Not my favorite year.
2020 -- Warner than normal spring followed by a hot, dry summer. Overall, the vintage was a good quality one; perhaps better than average.
The 2022 Contrada Rinazzo EBS showed sage, salinity, mint and spice on the nose. Soft on the palate with lime sapidity and a metallic minerality. The 2020 showed an herbiness and sweet fruit on the nose. Lime and salinity on the palate. Character-free.
Based on Brandon's notes, these two vintages were sub-optimal for Milo Carricante.
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