Girolamo Russo : Etna Rosso Feudo 2017

A Sicilian wine produced at the foot of the Etna, with a perfect structure and a remarkable elegance

The estate

In 2005, Giuseppe Russo honoured the memory of his father, Girolamo, by taking over the family estate and working to restore the glory of Girolamo Russo’s name. Driven by the desire to respect and perpetuate his family’s traditions, all while reinterpreting them through his own ideas and talent, this passionate owner is developing new approaches to winemaking on his homeland. To preserve this previous terroir, Giuseppe Russo and his team cultivate their vineyard through organic farming. It is thus that the Girolamo Russo estate reveals wines from the Etna Rosso appellation, reflections of their terroir which evoke the unique character of each plot at the estate.

The vineyard

The 2017 Etna Rosso Feudo is made from a 1.5-hectare plot of 70-year-old vines. Nestled at 650 metres above sea level in Sicily, the famous Italian island, the vineyard is rooted in a volcanic soil affected by sand and rich in minerals. The vines are located on the northern slope of Mount Etna.

Winemaking and ageing

After the manual harvests, which take place during the second half of October, the best berries are taken to the cellar to begin a bespoke winemaking process. The grapes ferment spontaneously thanks to the yeasts that are naturally present in the berries at a temperature between 28 and 30 degrees. Maceration with grapeskin contact lasts for 10 days. Then, in spring, malolactic fermentation is spontaneously carried out in oak barrels of a second wine. To finish, the wine ages for 18 months before spending 6 additional months in bottle.

Blend

Nerello Mascalese (94%) and Nerello Cappuccio (6%).

Tasting

Colour

The 2017 Etna Rosso Feudo presents an intense ruby red colour.

Nose

The aromatic bouquet expresses a beautiful complexity sustained by aromas of blackberries, currants and sour cherries, mixed with notes of Mediterranean herbs, leather, tobacco as well as balsamic touches.

Palate

The 2017 Etna Rosso Feudo is an ample wine with a remarkable elegance. A tangy character offers a fresh and vibrant style to this cuvée with a perfect structure and a delightfully long finish.