Frank Cornelissen MunJebel Bianco 2022
£44.95
In Stock
“Wildly spicy, the 2022 Bianco MunJebel bursts from the glass with an array of fermented ginger, fennel, crushed stones and dried apricots. More like nectar than wine, this smooths over the palate then finds a beautiful lift through a bump of zesty acidity. Crisp orchard fruits cascade throughout. The 2022 tapers off with outstanding length and freshness, finishing with a perfumed floral resonance, hints of tropical melon and an air of almond custard.Drinking window: 2024-2028. 92 points
Being part of the first wave of modern-day Etna producers to breathe life back into this historical region, Frank Cornelissen pushes the envelope even further. Undoubtedly an icon of the region, his willingness to experiment and evolve is notable. Cornelissen first made his mark as a non-interventionist winemaker. However, over time, he realized that balance was the best way to communicate his vision of what Etna and Nerello Mascalese are capable of. To this day, the approach remains fully transparent, with a desire to communicate varietal typicity, terroir and vintage character through a refinement process in the winery that rejects the use of oak or unnecessary additives, instead using epoxy-lined fiberglass tanks. While sulfur is now employed to protect the wines during the exportation process and safeguard against the likelihood of retailers with less-than-stellar climate control in their stores and warehouses, it is used sparingly. In the end, this remains a portfolio of purity, with energetic wines that tempt the taster back to the glass over and over again. Cornelissen also has his eye on the future, with the construction of a new bottle storage/aging facility and tasting room underway. He is also gradually constructing new terraces and vineyards to expand his production. As for the 2020s, they live up to the promise suggested by the MunJebel Rosso that I tasted in 2022. The 2020s are aromatically stunning, placing fruit front and center, yet they are crunchy and precise, with vibrant acidity that gets the mouth watering halfway through the experience. Tasting these wines reaffirms Cornelissen’s commitment to allowing each vineyard and vintage to speak clearly through his wines.”
Eric Guido, Vinous (06/24)
