2016 Azienda Agricola Frank Cornelissen, Munjebel VA, Terre Siciliane Rosso IGT - Magnum

The Munjebel VA (Vigne Alte) is a concentrated expression of Nerello Mascalese sourced from Frank Cornelissen’s highest-altitude terraces, including the Tartaraci, Rampante, and Barbabecchi contrade. To capture the precise identity of these ungrafted, northern-slope sites, Cornelissen employs a minimalist regimen—avoiding all chemical additives in the vineyard and cellar—while relying on fermentation in neutral vessels to ensure the volcanic terroir remains unmasked. The 2016 vintage, characterized by a balanced growing season with cool temperatures and timely late-season rain, provided the physiological maturity necessary to build a structurally profound profile. This resulting wine displays a hallmark tension, defined by fine-grained tannins and a persistent, mineral-driven architecture that is typical of high-elevation Etna viticulture. By eschewing wood during aging, the producer forces the wine to rely entirely on its inherent density and site-specific acidity to achieve its poise.