You'll notice that this wine is classified as a Terre Siciliane IGT and not an Etna DOC. That's because the Barbabecchi vineyard is located above the 1,000-meter mark drawn by local authorities as the highest elevation for appellation wine. The Graci 2016 Quota 1000 Barbabecchi is a romantic wine that transports us up into thin air, closer to the fiery crater of Etna, to a wild and unruly place where all viticultural bets are off. At great risk, grapes are harvested the first week of November, later than anywhere else, when weather can be very cold. The Nerello Mascalese is left to ferment on the skins for up to 30 days. The wine is then aged in oak for two long years. All elements are carefully measured in order to make this wine of extremes. This is a beautiful edition, with crisp berry and cherry aromas that cede to earthy mineral and wild flower. The tannins are fine, silky and beautifully managed in this vintage. It is gorgeous, elegant and engineered for the long haul.