Etna Doc Riserva
SIGNUM AETNAE 2015
The majestic and disruptive Etna is also the gentle guardian of the Signum Aetnae vineyard. The highest volcano on the European continent, she tells a story of viticulture that enchants those who listen. From this precious treasure box comes the predestined Il Sigillo del Vulcano, the beloved son of heroic mountain viticulture. Signum Aetnae is the authentic witness of a centuries-old defense activity carried out by the volcano on vineyards that have resisted the passage of time and phylloxera.
Etna Doc Riserva
SIGNUM AETNAE 2016
The majestic and disruptive Etna is also the gentle guardian of the Signum Aetnae vineyard. The highest volcano on the European continent, she tells a story of viticulture that enchants those who listen. From this precious treasure box comes the predestined Il Sigillo del Vulcano, the beloved son of heroic mountain viticulture. Signum Aetnae is the authentic witness of a centuries-old defense activity carried out by the volcano on vineyards that have resisted the passage of time and phylloxera.
Etna Doc Riserva
SIGNUM AETNAE 2014
The majestic and disruptive Etna is also the gentle guardian of the Signum Aetnae vineyard. The highest volcano on the European continent, she tells a story of viticulture that enchants those who listen. From this precious treasure box comes the predestined Il sigillo del Vulcano, the beloved son of heroic mountain viticulture. Signum Aetnae is the authentic witness of a centuries-old defence activity carried out by the volcano on vineyards that have resisted the passage of time and phylloxera.
vintage 2015: NERELLO MASCALESE
Tasting notes
vintage 2016: NERELLO MASCALESE
Tasting notes
vintage 2014: NERELLO MASCALESE
Tasting notes
The Climate
of Vintage 2015
Winter 2015 was very harsh, with abundant and frequent precipitation. Spring was also particularly and unusually rainy and expressed temperatures below the seasonal average. The combination of these meteorological factors resulted in a delay in the vegetative awakening of the plants and a consequent late budding.
The temperatures of May and June, on the other hand, were consistently above the seasonal average and contributed to an excellent vegetative recovery and a splendid flowering, followed by a good fruit set.
The abundant rains of August and the lowering of the average temperatures have created a reserve of water that has allowed the plants to arrive in September with good vitality and vigour. The last phase of maturation saw an almost perfect climate, guaranteeing an excellent level of health for the grapes.
The 2015 vintage is considered excellent, thanks to the very favourable microclimate of the vineyard that allowed the Signum grapes to develop and express organoleptic characteristics capable of increasing the complexity and structure of the wine.
The Climate
of Vintage 2016
The climate, characterized by a cool summer and some sporadic rainfall, allowed for grapes with an almost perfect phytosanitary profile.
The 2016 vintage in Sicily was particularly favorable, thanks to particularly balanced climatic conditions, with a fairly cool spring and a not excessively hot summer period.
On Etna, the 2016 vintage had extraordinary results, thanks to a particularly favorable microclimate that allowed the grapes to ripen fully, with a rich and articulated organoleptic profile, capable of giving depth and structure to the wine.
The Climate
of Vintage 2014
The climate of 2014 was decisive for the quality of the grapes produced in the pre-phylloxera vineyard: after the spring rains and a decidedly cool beginning of the summer, temperatures gradually approached the seasonal average, but without hot peaks.
In the middle weeks of summer 2014, it finally returned to weather conditions more appropriate for the average of the period, with temperatures typical for Sicilian summers.
From a sanitary point of view, the production was excellent, with the ratio of leaf area to production in a state of absolute equilibrium (about 1 sqm of leaf area per kg of grapes).
It can be said that the harvest was excellent, among the best of the last 30 years for red wines; the production yield has reached good levels, and overall, the vintage is exceptional for Signum as the weather has allowed excellent phenolic ripeness, giving the wine excellent structure and body.
Harvest, Vinification, and Aging
The harvest was brought forward by about ten days compared to the previous year due to the September rains that accelerated the ripening process of the grapes.
The grapes were harvested exclusively by hand after careful selection. The selected grapes were destemmed and pressed for vinification in stainless steel, which continued for about two weeks.
The malolactic fermentation was carried out in steel for about 20 days. The aging of 2015 was slightly different from that of the previous year: the aging in the barrel lasted 36 months, while the aging in bottles had a duration of over 42 months.
For aging in barrel, in continuity with the previous vintage, we chose Tonneaux barrels and French oak barrels of the first and second passage, selected from fine-grained woods aged in the open air for about 3 years, coming from the forests of Allier, Tronçais, and Jupilles. We chose to continue with the same type of wood as it is able to make the most of the characteristics of the Signum.
The 2015 vintage produced 2436 bottles.
Harvest, Vinification, and Aging
Compared to forecasts, the harvest began about eight days earlier and ended a week earlier than planned, allowing the October rains to be avoided.
The production, in terms of quantity, was slightly smaller, and this positively affected the characteristics of the wine.
Harvesting was exclusively and strictly by hand, with careful selection of the bunches of grapes.
After destemming and crushing, vinification was screwed in steel, lasting about two weeks. Malolactic fermentation was carried out in steel and lasted for 20 days.
Aging was 30 months in French oak tonneaux and then another 30 months in bottle.
The 2015 vintage produced 2442 bottles.
A CAREFULLY GUARDED TREASURE
Signum Aetnae is presented in an elegant packaging with attention to the smallest details, which reflects the attention to the quality and aesthetics of the product: a combination of elements of luxury, craftsmanship and digital innovation.
Every element, from the wooden box to the tissue paper with logo and seal, contributes to a unique and memorable opening experience for true collectors of wine works of art.
Harvest, Vinification, and Aging
The harvesting of the bunches was carried out with careful selection and exclusively by hand with the use of single-layer wooden boxes. The selected grapes were destemmed and pressed for vinification in stainless steel, which continued for about twenty days.
After the malolactic fermentation, which took place in stainless steel and lasted about 25 days, the aging was carried out in Tonneaux French oak barrels of the first passage, selected from fine woods aged in the open air for about 3 years, coming from the forests of Allier, Tronais, and Jupilles.
The type of barrel with a particular fine-grained wood and medium roasting was chosen because, after various tests carried out, it emerged that, in our opinion, this type of wood respects the characteristics of the wine and enhances its peculiarities.
Before being placed on the market, the wine was aged in barrels for 24 months, and then the refinement continued in bottles for a period of at least 18 months.
The 2014 harvest produced about 3500 bottles.
A CAREFULLY GUARDED TREASURE
Signum Aetnae is presented in an elegant packaging with attention to the smallest details, which reflects the attention to the quality and aesthetics of the product: a combination of elements of luxury, craftsmanship and digital innovation.
Every element, from the wooden box to the tissue paper with logo and seal, contributes to a unique and memorable opening experience for true collectors of wine works of art.
Identity card of the wine
Identity card of the wine
Identity card of the wine
Certification Etna DOC Riserva n. 388/2023 for Bott. N. 2438: February 9, 2013
The red type “Etna” can use the mention “riserva” only if subjected to an aging period within the production area of at least four years, of which at least 12 months are in the wood. The aging period starts on November 1st of the year of the grapes’ production.
(EXTRACT OF THE ETNA DOC SPECIFICATION)
Certification Etna DOC Riserva n. 8/2025 for Bott. N. 2442: January 3, 2025
The red type “Etna” can use the mention “riserva” only if subjected to an aging period within the production area of at least four years, of which at least 12 months are in the wood. The aging period starts on November 1st of the year of the grapes’ production.
(EXTRACT OF THE ETNA DOC SPECIFICATION)
Certification Etna DOC Riserva n. 388/2023 for Bott. N. 2438: February 9, 2013
The red type “Etna” can use the mention “riserva” only if subjected to an aging period within the production area of at least four years, of which at least 12 months are in the wood. The aging period starts on November 1st of the year of the grapes’ production.
(EXTRACT OF THE ETNA DOC SPECIFICATION)
