Idda


— Portfolio —

ETNA BIANCO SICILIA DOP 2024
Bottle Shot

100% Carricante. Post picking a small parcel is left overnight on skins before pressing. 80% fermented in tank, 20% in barrel of which is a combination of 1000 ltr seasoned French oak and 5000ltr Austrian Stockinger barrels. Part of the wine goes through malolactic. The total elevage is 8 months. Each plot is aged for 6 months separately, then blended and bottled 2 months later.

There is no question the Gaja family have never been ones to swim with the current, not simply to be seen as modernisers or to stand out from the crowd but to challenge the established norms in an attempt to produce the best wine possible.In a region synonymous for quality red wine production originating from the Northern slopes of Mont Etna (Nerello Mascalese), Gaja decided to purchase both an existing vineyard and plant a new separate site on the less publicised southern slopes. All of these new plantings are Carricante, a white variety.

80% of currently plantings on Etna are Nerello, so the fact that most of IDDA production will be white made from Carricante and from south facing slopes is very unorthodox. But so was planting Chardonnay in Barbaresco classified sites…

So why is it not classified Etna Bianco DOP?

The first vineyard Gaja purchased is in Biancavilla and lies within in the Etna DOP boundaries and does have some old vine Carricante planted. However the second vineyard in Belpasso (where the IDDA winery has been built) is exclusively planted with Carricante but sits just outside the border of the Etna DOP. IDDA Bianco is a blend of these two vineyards. Gaja always had the plan to plant here so the wine has been labelled Bianca Sicilia since inception.

“A fresh, peppery style with a spicy, citrusy nose and core aromas of stone fruit. Medium-bodied. More focused on the rich palate than on the aromatic profile. Enjoyable texture and length. Drink now.” – 92 pts – James Suckling

“Distinctly savory on the nose, the 2024 Bianco unfolds with nuances of stone dust, dried herbs, incense and Asian pear. It’s soft-textured and round with ripe orchard fruits, spice and a gentle reverberation of salty minerality. This cleans up beautifully through the finish, leaving a subtle saline concentration and hints of tart citrus.” – 93 pts – Eric Guido – Vinous

“Fruit from vineyards lying at 600m-800m yields a quintessential expression of Carricante, aged in a mix of oak and stainless steel. Sweet orchard fruits, lanolin and saffron blend with lemon zest and flint. Piercing yet also structured, it shows a relatively creamy mid-palate and a subtly viscous texture, while turning more savoury on the long, mineral-driven finish. Will be even better in five to 10 years.” – 94 pts – Jason Millar – Decanter

 

ETNA ROSSO SICILIA DOP 2023
Bottle Shot

IDDA means ‘she’ in the Sicilian dialect, which is a term of endearment and awe which Sicilian’s refer to her, being Etna. Predominantly Nerello Mascalese with a touch of Nerello Cappuccio. This wine comes entirely from the Biancavilla vineyard which sits on the southern side of Mount Etna, south west facing slopes, between 700 and 800 meters above sea level. Vineyard as planted in 1975.

Fermented in a combination of steel and seasoned wood vessels. 25/30% whole-bunch. Pressed off to barrel. 80% of these barrels are 2000ltr & 4000ltr, French and Austrian with a handful of 700ltr from the same origin. Aged separately for 18 months before then blending of the differing barrels. Bottling is done 3 months post blending.

“The aromas of cranberries, pears, honeysuckle and other white flowers are enticing. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins and a fresh, bright finish. A little closed now but already very enjoyable. Drink or hold.” – 94 pts – James Suckling

“The wonderfully floral and graceful 2023 Etna Rosso blossoms in the glass with mineral-laden crushed rocks, dusty rose and dried black cherries. Perfumed red berry fruits soothe as a tactile mineral crunch evolves toward the close. Tart cranberry saturation and nuances of spice remain, and edgy tannins pinch at the cheeks without detracting from the 2023’s nearly sultry energy.” – 94 pts – Eric Guido – Vinous

“Flinty – with a ferrous note – Idda 2023 bursts with pineapple and lychee aromas, then a concentration of rich, round yet fresh exotic fruits. The wood is evident but subtle, adding texture. There’s a lovely mid-palate sapidity which counteracts the richness and makes you want to go back immediately for another sip. Close you eyes and imagine drinking this by the glimmering sea with a plate full of gambero rosso di Mazara. The 2022 was slightly brighter and fresher – the result, no doubt, of a really difficult growing season with a wet spring and drought through the summer.” – 91 pts – James Button – Decanter