Firriato’s 2009 Etna Rosso Cavanera Rovo delle Coturnie is darker, richer and more powerful than the straight Etna Rosso owing to lower yields in the vineyard, older vines and longer aging in cask. It is a gorgeous, fleshy wine layered with dark cherries, smoke, licorice and tobacco. As beautiful as the 2009 is, I am not sure it truly needs this much oak. The strength of Etna is its transparency, so it is shame to mask that essential trait. The 2009 is 60% Nerello Mascalese and 40% Nerello Cappuccio. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2017. Once again, Firriato has done a great job across the board with virtually their entire range, no small feat at production levels within the context of Italian wine. Importer: Soilair Selection, New York, NY; tel. (646) 244-4922