Cusumano Alta Mora Etna Bianco 2023

This structured and 'crystalline' white wine originates from Italy, within the prestigious Etna Bianco D.O.C. appellation located on the active volcanic slopes of Mount Etna in northeastern Sicily. Produced by Alta Mora the dedicated Etna estate established in 2013 by brothers Alberto and Diego Cusumano this wine is a showcase of high-altitude volcanic viticulture. Sourced from choice vineyard parcels across five distinct contrade (including Verde, Pietramarina, and Arrigo) situated on the northern slopes of the volcano at elevations between 600 and 800 meters above sea level, the old bush vines (albarello) are rooted in dark, mineral-rich volcanic ash, pumice, and basaltic lava soils. Etna’s extreme mountain-maritime microclimate features intense alpine solar exposure, cool mountain winds, and drastic diurnal temperature swings, allowing Carricante grapes to achieve complete phenolic maturity while building a razor-sharp, mouthwatering natural acidity and intense volcanic minerality.

Wine Description

The Cusumano Alta Mora Etna Bianco presents a luminous, pale straw-yellow color in the glass with bright greenish-gold and silver reflections along the rim. Its sensory profile is exceptionally fresh, high-toned, and complex, delivering an energetic, mineral-driven, and precisely focused portrait of Mount Etna’s volcanic terroir. The bouquet opens with a soaring display of lemon zest, green apple, and white peach, seamlessly layered with complex underlays of orange blossom, crushed volcanic rock, flint, lemongrass, and a distinct line of smoky, saline minerality. On the palate, the wine is light-to-medium-bodied, sleek, and athletic, showcasing a vibrant core of crunchy orchard fruit, citrus curd, and salted melon. It is characterized by its outstanding inner energy and an incisive, mouthwatering backbone of natural acidity that effortlessly cuts through the mid-palate texture. The mouthfeel is weightless, supple, and linear, carrying into an extraordinarily long, dry, and mineral-driven finish accented by persistent notes of lime peel, white pepper, and crushed basalt.