Frank Cornelissen Magma Rosso 2017 (750ML)

96 VM / 93+ WA / 17 JR

Deep vibrant red. Savory herbs, balsamic oils, red cherry, raspberry nectar and minerals on the captivating nose. Big, rich and dense, with an ultra-smooth mouthfeel offering spicy nuances complicating flavors of quinine, red cherry and mineral flavors. The finish is long, thick and suave. This is an extremely complex and concentrated young red wine, yet stays light on its feet. Made with grapes grown in the Barbabecchi contrada. - Ian D’Agata, Vinous Media

With fruit from the Contrada Barbabecchi, the 2017 Magma is a wine of extreme and unique individuality. This is something that can be said of all the wines I have ever tasted from Frank Cornelissen over these many years. When I think back over his body of work, I am also reminded that no two wines ever taste the same. Even the same bottle won't taste the same if you choose to drink it in a different setting or in different company. These are shadow-shifting wines that morph into fluid and abstract definitions of what wine really is—and what we do and do not like about it. It also occurs to me that all the abstract and psychedelic meaning that can be inferred from his wines suddenly makes perfect sense against the surreal and otherworldly backdrop that is Etna. If you love Cornelissen's wines, you'll like this one too. If you don't like his wine, please look away. - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

Contrada Barbabecchi. Outside of the DOC, because this vineyard is at an elevation well over 700 m, which is the denomination’s upper border. Just mid crimson. Orange-peel and raspberry nose. Lithe, sweet and rich with bags of grainy tannins. WS, Jancis Robinson .com

Our “Grand Vin” from our Barbabecchi vineyard at 910m. asl. Planted around 1910 and North-North East exposed, capturing the first and cool morning sun rays. This pure Nerello Mascalese from ungrafted old vines produces a profound wine, rich as well as elegant at the same time with character and personality: liquorice and oriental spices. Only produced in great vintages where we achieve full phenolic ripeness. - winery