The 2007 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino flows with incredible richness and power, but never comes across as heavy. Today, the Don Peppino is incredibly primary. It needs several more years in bottle to develop the full breadth of its aromas and flavors, but even today the integrity of the dark red fruit and the elegance of the tannins are totally convincing. All this needs is time. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2027. Proprietor Marc de Grazia is one of the pioneers of the Etna. Not only was he among the first producers to recognize the value of these once-forgotten, ancient terroirs, he also was the first producer to bring attention to the specific qualities of these vineyards by bottling single-parcel Nerellos that have become reference-point wines for the Etna. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119

Don Peppino’s vineyard lies on the lower slopes of Mt. Etna where the black volcanic terrain is easier to cultivate. The resulting fruit here comes across as focused and well-defined by mineral and berry tendencies with excellent crispness and enormous endurance on the close.——M.L.(12/1/2009)—— 94