Frank Cornelissen’s work has evolved from being experientially natural in the early years to where it is today: fine and terroir-driven wines that still thrill with their distinct, unvarnished signature.

The core of the lineup is around red wines made from Nerello Mascalese grown on Mount Etna, but the much smaller amount of white wines (as we spoke about last year with the 'VA' Bianco) are just as inspired.

This release includes a new (and very limited) white bottling 'Patos,' which had him leave the volcanic east side of Sicily for its sandy seaside west coast. Though still macerated like the rest of his Bianco, this is a fresh, saline wine.

For many years Frank has experimented with a handful of different white wines but it’s never inched over a 1/5 of his production.
 
The current set of whites is his 'Munjebel' Bianco, the exceptional 'VA' Bianco (only bottled in magnum this release), and now – in a collaboration with Norwegian singer and composer Sondre Lerche – the 'Patos' Bianco.

ABOUT 'PATOS'

Sondre Lerche has fueled his passion for natural wine via collaborations with his favorite winemakers: Italian sparkling producer Casa Belfi, Catalonia’s Castell d’Age, and now with Frank Cornelissen. All bearing 'Patos' on the label.

Sondre and Frank; photo via Sondre Lerche.

Sondre Lerche has fueled his passion for natural wine via collaborations with his favorite winemakers: Italian sparkling producer Casa Belfi, Catalonia’s Castell d’Age, and now with Frank Cornelissen. All bearing 'Patos' on the label.

Unlike Frank's other whites, 'Patos' is not from Etna. Rather, it’s from the other side of the island, by the southwestern town of Menfi where the soils are sandy (as opposed to Etna's volcanic) and varietals like Cattarato and Grillo thrive, making salty, deliciously stone fruited wines. Here, Frank's Norwegian importer (and friend of Sondre) organically grows Cattarato (and olives!) which Frank uses for this cuvée.

Like the other whites, it's skin macerated but just gently – only 10 days, making this the most easygoing, lifted wine in the range. Long time fans will be reminded of the joyful Susuaru Bianco Frank made in the past.

2022 'PATOS' BIANCO $32

BLENDED WINES:

2023 'SUSUCARU' ROSSO $30
Frank's entry-level red, a traditional Etna field blend of all of the estate's contradas. 85% Nerello Mascalese with other local varietals (Nerello Capuccio, Allicante Boushet, Minnella and Uva Francesa). Perfumed and elegant.

2022 MUNJEBEL ROSSO $48
A blend of the estate's top vineyards, 100% Nerello Mascalese. An ultra traditional ripe but balanced Etna red.

2020 MUNJEBEL 'VA' ROSSO $100 / magnum $240
A blend of old vine Nerello Mascalese from the estate's three highest altitude, ungrafted, terraced vineyards: Tartaraci, Rampante Soprana and Barbabecchi. "The most Burgundian of all our crus" according to Frank; we're inclined to agree!

2022 MUNJEBEL BIANCO $53 / magnum $120
50/50 Grecanico Dorato and Carricante, destemmed, lightly crushed and skin macerated for 3 days. Shorter skin contact gives incredible finesse and precision; a super versatile "orange" wine.

2020 MUNJEBEL 'VA' BIANCO $225 (magnum only)
A special bottling of Grecanico Dorato, Carricante and Coda di Volpe, all ungrafted, which at 1000m are some of the highest on Etna. 4 days of skin contact, raised in neutral tank and aged in bottle 3 years prior to release. Particularly electric and textured.

CONTRADA BOTTLINGS:

2020 MUNJEBEL 'FM' $75
From the estate's lower elevation ('sottana') Nerello Mascalese holdings in the large contrada Feudo di Mezzo. Despite this parcel's relatively low elevation on the valley floor, it produces exceptionally finessed wines.

2020 MUNJEBEL 'MC' $80
Old vine Nerello Mascalese from the contrada Monte Colla, an extremely steep and exposed, terraced vineyard. Especially rich and powerful (but still classically elegant Etna), Frank refers to this as his "Hermitage of Etna."

2020 MUNJEBEL 'PA' $80
Old vine, alberello-trained Nerello Mascalese from the estate's higher elevation ('porcaria') holdings in the large contrada Feudo di Mezzo. A challenging site to ripen, the wine has a tension between elegance and power. "A complete wine" as Frank calls it.

2020 MUNJEBEL 'CD' $80
Nerello Mascalese from the esteemed contrada Calderara Sottana, where the soil and rocks in the vineyard absorb and radiate warmth at night. An especially ethereal take.

2020 MUNJEBEL 'CR' $80
Nerello Mascalese from the partly ungrafted contrada Campo Re, with deep soils on the valley floor. A more structured, tannic wine that feels very reminiscent of our favorite Nebbiolos.

2020 MUNJEBEL 'CS' $100 / magnum $180
Old vine Nerello Mascalese from the ungrafted section 'Chiusa Spagnolo' in contrada Zottorinoto. Naturally terraced and surrounded by lava, it's an incredibly unique centenarian vineyard. Like 'CR,' this is a more structured and tannic take on the grape.

2020 'MAGMA' $340 / magnum $700
The pinnacle of Frank's lineup. Ungrafted, old vine Nerello Mascalese from the 910m Barbabecchi vineyard, the first to catch the cool morning sun. Rich, elegant and so characterful; only made in the best vintages which warrant its production.

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