Pietradolce Archineri Etna Rosso 2014

Pietradolce Archineri Etna Rosso 2014, Italy

(from £27.55, Armit Wines, Oxford Wine Company or via Wine Searcher)

I first came across the rugged, uncompromising wines of Sicilian producer Pietradolce at our wine festival and have followed them with interest since.

I tried the full range at the recent Italian tasting by Armit, their importers and specialists in this field.

These aren’t wines for the faint hearted. They have wild, unexpected flavours and textures, fire in their depths. But then again, that’s exactly what makes them so compelling.

The whites are profound and mineral – the Archineri Bianco 2015 is absolutely stunning.

The reds have grippy tannin, juicy acidity, and soaring scents of wild flowers, fresh meat and baked red fruit. This Archineri is beautiful and vigorous, made from 80-year-old vines. The Rampante is just as good at around the same price, perhaps a little wilder.

Sometimes, it’s well worth taking a walk on the wild side.

(Peter, 7.5/10, March 2017)