2020 Frank Cornelissen Munjebel VA Vigne Alte

94 pts
Extremely limited single block contrada release of Nerello Mascalese from Frank Cornelissen's vineyards on Mount Etna.

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Description

This wine is part of the extraordinarily limited-release series of Contrada wines by cult winemaking hero, Frank Cornellissen.

Belgian native turned cult natural winemaking hero, Frank Cornelissen makes some of the most intriguing raw wines in Sicily's Etna region.

Cornelissen rejects the notion of interfering with Mother Earth at any point in the grape-growing and winemaking process. No additions of any kind - neither in the vineyard nor the cellar - just a stripped-back representation of some of the world's most fascinating volcanic terroir.

Scrambling for allocations of these wines regularly hits a fever pitch. They are only ever available for a limited time. They are one of the gems of the natural wine world. 

94 points
"This is extremely floral with rose stem undertones. Hints of candied cherries and orange peel. Medium to full body with a tannin structure that grows on your palate. It’s chewy and rather linear with a crunchy finish. Nice blue fruit with a beeswax undertone. Give it time to soften."
- James Suckling

94 points James Suckling: "This is extremely floral with rose stem undertones. Hints of candied cherries and orange peel. Medium to full body with a tannin structure that grows on your palate. It’s chewy and rather linear with a crunchy finish. Nice blue fruit with a beeswax undertone. Give it time to soften. Drink after 2026. (9/2/23)"

93 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "The Frank Cornelissen 2020 Cuvée Le Vigna Alta is pretty much all Nerello Mascalese with a small part of Alicante in the blend. The wine is classified as an IGT now but is slated to become a Sicilia DOC with the next release. Fruit comes from the Tartaraci Vineyard at about 1,000 meters in elevation (and otherwise outside the Etna DOC limits) and other sites. This is an enticing wine with a level of softness and floral intensity that we don't see in the others. The wine renders aromas of underbrush, wildflower and violets. Drink: 2022-2030. (6/30/23)"

Price Bracket $101 and Above
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Nerello Mascalese
Country Italy
Region Etna
Feature Cult
Low Preservative
Natural/Lo-Fi
Organic
High Score
Reviewed By James Suckling
Critic Score 94
Size 750ml
Vintage 2020
Closure Cork

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