2022 Etna Bianco, Graci, Passopisciaro, Sicily, Italy

The 2022 Etna Bianco fascinates with a unique blend of smoky peat and lime zest with complicating sour melon. It’s soft, soothing and distinctly savoury in style, with masses of saline minerals giving way to young peach nuances. This tapers off a bit short yet clean, with a salty flourish that keeps the mouth watering for more.I found the Etna Rossos from Graci among the top wines I tasted for this year's report. Especially the 2018 Arcuria Sopra il Pozzo, which transcends the conditions of this challenging year. The 2020 Rosso Arcuria and Rosso Feudo di Mezzo were equally compelling. However, I can’t say the same for the 2021 and 2022. In both cases, the wines come across as understated to a fault or mineral to the point of being fruit-challenged. When possible, I checked in on a second bottle, each time with the same result. For example, the 2021 Arcuria shows a Band-Aid note on the nose that leads me to suspect Brettanomyces.Drink 2023 - 2026eric_guido, Vinous.com.com (September 2023)

Lively citrus characters are followed by subtle aromas of sea shells and wet stones. Medium-bodied. Flinty finish at the end. Clean and crisp. A blend of 85% Carricante and 15% Catarratto.Drink nowjames_suckling, jamessuckling_com (October 2023)

Made with 85% Carricante and 15% Catarratto, the Graci 2022 Etna Bianco has a distinct mineral note that adds extra sharpness and brightness. Over the years, the percentage of Carricante has increased in the blend. This grape's salty-mineral profile takes centre stage. Showing a very light golden colour, the wine drinks beautifully right now.Alberto Aiello Graci is one of the protagonists of the Etna wine movement. He has added a beautiful new white wine to his portfolio from the Contrada Mugnanazzi, which sits at 700 meters above sea level.Drink 2023 - 2028monica_larner, Wine Advocate (June 2023)