WTN: Cornelissen Contadino 7

Frank Cornelissen Contadino 7 - Vino da Tavola Rosso, Etna

The 7 on the label means that this is the 7th vintage of this bottling, so it is of the 2009 vintage. 13% abv; 23,90€; a blend of practically everything, both red and white, that Cornelissen grows (Caricante, Inzolia, Cataratto, Nerello Mascalese, Alicante, Nerello Cappuccio and more...). Much like the MunJebel 6 I recently had, this has a lovely aroma of pomegranate, sweet but not cloying fruit and a pepperiness slightly reminiscent of Syrah.

Fairly full bodied and with plenty of fruity sweetness, but it is wonderfully light on its feet, very refreshing and has attractively palate-cleansing tannins so the fruit never seems cloying - there is no sucrosity here. Dangerously moreish.

A slight criticism I would have about Cornelissen's wines is that I don't really see all that huge a difference between the Contadino, MunJebel and Magma! Hence, I'm perfectly happy drinking this, the cheapest of them.

A slight criticism I would have about Cornelissen's wines is that I don't really see all that huge a difference between the Contadino, MunJebel and Magma! Hence, I'm perfectly happy drinking this, the cheapest of them.

I haven't had the Magma, but for the other wines I totally agree. Simple pleasant natural wine. I always get confused when people make a big deal out of the wines as if they were so unique. They are certainly fun and nothing wrong with them (at least the stable wines), but I don't find anything too special, exciting or worthy of lots of discussion, at least for what's actually in the glass. Apparently the winemaker is more of a character than the wines.

Or maybe I'm missing something.

Nice note, Otto. I've yet to taste any wine from Cornelissen, but am very curious about them. Is this wine available at Alko?
Cheers,
Anders

They are certainly fun and nothing wrong with them (at least the stable wines), but I don't find anything too special, exciting or worthy of lots of discussion, at least for what's actually in the glass.

Agreed. When Cornelissen is drinkable, I've found nothing exciting - when it's not, it's hideous.

Rahsaan, Salil, I must slightly disagree with you on the unexcitingness of Cornelissen. I found much to be excited about in this bottle. What I do agree on is that it doesn't stand out of the crowd of other natural wines (I guess I just find a very exciting crowd!). But I must have been lucky as all my experiences with Cornelissen have been good - no spoiled bottles for me. But due to the wines' similarities, the only I will buy is the cheapest of them.

Anders, yes, Funky Wine Imports has started importing it and they listed it in Alko's special order selection. Which was nice.

Rahsaan, Salil, I must slightly disagree with you on the unexcitingness of Cornelissen. I found much to be excited about in this bottle. What I do agree on is that it doesn't stand out of the crowd of other natural wines (I guess I just find a very exciting crowd!)..

Ok, fair enough. I also get excited by my good experiences with these natural wines. So I guess it is just an issue of how we apply the word 'excited'. Because I may get excited by the good examples of the category but haven't felt the need to fetishize any particular producer.

Perhaps I need to taste more to understand the nuances.