A well-made Etna, very fresh and vivid with orange-peel and strawberry character. Medium-bodied, it has fine, vertical tannins and a lightly chewy finish. Nicely structured. Drink now or hold.
94 points, James Suckling (Jul 2024)
Another exceptional wine in the range from Benanti, the 2022 Etna Rosso Contrada Dafara Galluzzo is packed with clarity and spice, as well as wild Mediterranean herbs, fresh rosemary, ripe cherries, and gamey earth. Medium-bodied, but with a bit more depth, it features ripe tannins and sanguine undertones, lending richness to the wine and a hint of warming spice. Crushed flowers and anise emerge with some time in the glass. I have no doubt it will only get better with another year in the bottle.
93+ points, Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck (Oct 2025)
A darker and deeper shade of red, the 2022 Etna Rosso Contrada Dafara Galluzzo smolders up with an inviting bouquet of dried roses, ash, red currants and orange zest. This is silky-smooth, elegant and refined, with a soothing wave of ripe red and blue fruits energized by a core of zesty acidity. It leaves a crunchy tart-cranberry concentration to linger, finishing firm as a coating of fine-grained tannins resonates. Patience will be required yet also rewarded—the Dafara Galluzzo has an underlying power and complexity that only time will unfurl.
93 points, Eric Guido, Vinous (Jun 2024)
A tightly meshed version, offering a core of chalky tannins enmeshed with chopped cherry and wild strawberry fruit, aromatic lavender, thyme and woodsy spices. This is focused and gives the sense of broad shoulders without being weighty. Tar-tinged finish. Best from 2026 through 2036. 436 cases made, 175 cases imported.
92 points, Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator (Nov 2024)
From younger vines from Rovittello in Castiglione di Sicilia. This has a sweet cherry core with aromas of sottobosco and herbs. Dark, woody and subtly grippy, it combines energy and freshness with a lovely pomegranate flourish.
92 points, James Button, Decanter (May 2025)