Nerello Mascalese, Sicily, Italy

An ultra-rare Sicilian “Grande Cru” red of incomparable aromatic beauty and fine savoury intricacies. Immersed in wine from a young age as the son of a Belgian wine broker, Frank Cornelissen fell in love with great wine early, laying the groundwork for his grape-soaked future. The ‘VA’ is a blend of their three highest vineyards: Tartaraci, Rampante Soprana and Barbabecchi, where ungrafted 90+ year old vines lay safe and sound. The most Burgundian of all their crus. Grapes are destemmed and lightly crushed before spending 60 days on skins absorbing, emiting and reabsorbing every ounce of what this fantastical grape has to offer. 18 months ageing in tank and another 18 in bottle bring poise and polish. Summer florals, resinous wood structure, pebble collecting, cherries and pits & pluming smoke over a blueberry field. Drink with a pile of grandma’s gnocchi, bearing truffle shavings like an angel bears a halo.