2019 I Custodi "Imbris" Etna Bianco Superiore

I Custodi’s cellar master is long-time Etna guru Salvo Foti, and his touch is one of a bianchista (white wine lover) prizing elegance, tension, and keeping the pristine volcanic spice found in these wines.

‘Imbris’ is I Custodi’s long awaited Etna Bianco Superiore, produced from less than 1 ha total of Carricante vines growing at 900m altitude in Contrada Caselle, a grand cru site for
Carricante. Cool air from the Ionian sea pushes up Etna’s Eastern slope and through the vineyard here year round, creating a constant sea-meets-mountain wind that imparts a palpable salinity to the fruit on the vine. The meeting of the two air masses also results in significant annual rainfall over Contrada Caselle– ‘Imbris’ takes its name from the Latin word for ‘rain’.

Tasting notes: cured lemon depth and storm of volcanic spice. Vertical and acidic on release, with age the wine gains chiaroscuro subtlety with wisps of oxidative notes.

REGION: Etna, Sicilia (Milo, Catania)
FARMING: Certified organic
VINEYARD: Contrada Caselle, 0.7 ha total ALTITUDE: 900 m
SOILS: Sandy and volcanic, with a large amount of ripiddu (lapilli and volcanic pumice
from eruptions) VARIETIES: 100% Carricante VINE AGE: 10 years old
VINE TRAINING: Alberello (bush vines) HARVEST DATE: First week of October
YEASTS: Native FERMENTATION & ÉLEVAGE: Elevage for 18 months in steel, and
additional 24 months in bottle before release MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION: Partial
SULPHUR: Minimum sulphur used in fermentation and bottling. Always less than 60 mg/L
totally added.
ALCOHOL: 12.5% ANNUAL PRODUCTION: 2500 cases