Pietradolce Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo 2020 750ml

Pietradolce has emerged as genuinely one of Sicily's most celebrated new-generation Etna producers, and the critical praise attached to the estate is remarkable. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate has written: "Pietradolce boasts some of the most beautiful vineyards I have ever seen. I cannot exaggerate this point." Vinous Media's Ian D'Agata calls the estate "long known for extremely high quality red wines." Feudo di Mezzo is a single-contrada bottling — one specific hectare of vineyard at 700 meters altitude, directly below the estate's Santo Spirito plot, on Mount Etna's northern slopes, farmed with old, ungrafted vines grown in the traditional alberello (bush-vine) style, among the most celebrated sites anywhere on the volcano.

In the cellar, the wine spends approximately 18 days on skins, fermenting in concrete tanks, before aging 14 months in tonneaux, roughly 10% new oak — a deliberately restrained oak regime that lets the site's own volcanic character speak clearly. The 2020 vintage is 100% Nerello Mascalese, a variety that takes its name from the black color of its grapes and the Mascali plain, between Mount Etna and the coast, where it's believed to have originated.

The critical reception has been genuinely extraordinary. Kerin O'Keefe awarded a remarkable 97 Points, writing: "made with old, ungrafted vines in one of the most celebrated sites on Etna's northern slopes, the Pietradolce 2020 Feudo di Mezzo is absolutely gorgeous. It delivers delicious flavors of juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry, baking spice, black olive and earthy notes of truffle accompanied by velvety, enveloping tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced and energized while a saline tang lingers on the close." James Suckling matched that with 94 Points, describing "very mineral" character "with gravel, iron, some bitter orange, wild herbs and savoury berries," noting "huge tannins and high acidity on an austere palate with a full body and a mineral finish," calling it "a mineral and rather Barolo-like Etna Rosso." Vinous also scored the wine 94 Points, calling it "dusty, floral and slightly spicy," seducing "from the first swirl of the glass," flooding "the palate with textures of pure silk, complicated by tactile mineral tones and vibrant acidity," concluding "this is a simply stunning interpretation of Feudo di Mezzo. Bravo." Wine Enthusiast's own tasting found "a primarily sanguine, umami nose" with "soil, tar, underbrush and soy sauce," balanced by "undertones of tart fruit" and "a sprinkle of salt and pepper, along with fierce tannins and acid." This is genuinely serious, volcanic-terroir-driven Sicilian wine — a real showcase of what old, ungrafted Etna vines are capable of.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Pietradolce is one of Sicily's most acclaimed new-generation Etna producers, farming vineyards across the volcano's slopes among the region's 133 contrade (individual vineyard sites). Feudo di Mezzo is a single-contrada bottling, sourced from just one hectare of vineyard at 700 meters altitude, directly below the estate's Santo Spirito plot on Etna's northern slopes, farmed with old, ungrafted vines grown in the traditional alberello bush-vine style — among the most celebrated sites on the mountain.

The 2020 vintage is 100% Nerello Mascalese, hand-harvested and fermented on skins for approximately 18 days in concrete tanks, before aging 14 months in tonneaux, roughly 10% new oak.

Critics Reviews

Kerin O'Keefe — 97 Points:
"Made with old, ungrafted vines in one of the most celebrated sites on Etna's northern slopes, the Pietradolce 2020 Feudo di Mezzo is absolutely gorgeous. It delivers delicious flavors of juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry, baking spice, black olive and earthy notes of truffle accompanied by velvety, enveloping tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced and energized while a saline tang lingers on the close." Drink 2028-2036.

James Suckling — 94 Points:
"Pale to medium ruby-garnet colour. Very mineral nose with gravel, iron, some bitter orange, wild herbs and savoury berries. Huge tannins and high acidity on an austere palate with a full body and a mineral finish. Lots of tension here and yet elegant. A mineral and rather Barolo-like Etna Rosso."

Vinous (Eric Guido) — 94 Points:
"Dusty, floral and slightly spicy, the 2020 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo seduces from the first swirl of the glass. It floods the palate with textures of pure silk, complicated by tactile mineral tones and vibrant acidity, while crisp red berry fruit cascades. A tart cranberry crispness carries through on the textured final as purple flowers slowly fade. This is a simply stunning interpretation of Feudo di Mezzo. Bravo."

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points:
"A primarily sanguine, umami nose features aromas of soil, tar, underbrush and soy sauce, but undertones of tart fruit provide a spark. On the palate, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, along with fierce tannins and acid, help develop both the slightly metallic earthiness..."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Pale to medium ruby-garnet. Very mineral, with gravel and iron, joined by bitter orange, wild herbs, and savoury berries, alongside soil, tar, and underbrush. Dusty, floral, and slightly spicy character develops with air.

Palate
Juicy red cherry and crushed raspberry lead, joined by baking spice, black olive, and earthy truffle, wrapped in velvety, enveloping tannins. Huge tannin structure and high acidity give an austere, full-bodied, mineral-driven character, with pure silk texture and cascading crisp red berry fruit.

Finish
Fresh and energized, closing with a saline tang, tart cranberry crispness, and lingering mineral tones — a genuinely stunning, age-worthy finish.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Grilled or roasted lamb
• Truffle-based pasta dishes
• Aged, savory cheeses
• Wild mushroom risotto