Terre Nere : Calderara Sottana 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for Terre Nere's Calderara Sottana 2023

Tasting

Colour
Beautifully intense, the ruby red colour is enriched with subtle mahogany hues.

Nose
Wonderfully complex, the bouquet opens with captivating aromas of rose, violet, tangy citrus fruit and smoke. On aeration, it reveals multiple aromatic layers evoking wild cherries, Asian spices, incense, fresh sage and vanilla, all underpinned by a mineral thread.

Palate
Energetic and vibrant, the palate offers lovely vivacity carried by crunchy red fruit flavours and pronounced minerality. The mid-palate unfolds notes of sweet spice, supported by ripe, full-bodied tannins. The long, flavourful finish stretches into nuances of wild blueberry, lavender, Mediterranean herbs and orange peel, perfectly balanced by refreshing acidity.

Service and storage

This wine requires a few years of bottle ageing to reach its full potential. It can be enjoyed from 2026 and will continue to evolve favourably until around 2046.

Food and wine pairing

This Italian red wine pairs wonderfully with grilled red meats, roast lamb or traditional dishes cooked in Mediterranean herb sauces. It also pairs beautifully with game such as venison or wild boar, mature cheeses, and mushroom- or truffle-based starters. Its remarkable freshness also allows it to enhance grilled fish or poultry served with rich sauces.

The mineral depth and aromatic complexity of a red wine from Etna

The estate

Founded in 2002 by Marco de Grazia, the Tenuta delle Terre Nere estate is located on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, in Sicily. A pioneer in introducing cru wines on the volcano, the estate spans 45 hectares farmed organically. Marco de Grazia, who remains at the operational helm of the estate today, partnered with Lamberto Frescobaldi in 2025. Terre Nere stands out for its commitment to expressing the purity and complexity of volcanic terroirs through minimal-intervention winemaking, establishing its wines among the region's most essential references.

The vineyard

Located on the northern slope of Etna, in the municipality of Randazzo, the Calderara Sottana vineyard sits at an altitude of between 600 and 650 metres. This exceptional 14.5-hectare terroir is distinguished by its extremely rocky volcanic soils, covered with black pumice and basalt stones from the ancient Ellittico crater. These stones store heat during the day and release it at night, while also ensuring excellent drainage. The vines, some of which are ungrafted plots that survived phylloxera and are now over 140 years old, benefit from ideal natural ventilation for the grapes' health.

The vintage

2023 was a particularly challenging year weather-wise. Spring brought heavy flooding and excessive rainfall, leading to significant mildew pressure. Summer then imposed radically opposite conditions, with intense heat and severe drought, recording very low rainfall between July and September. These climatic extremes resulted in very low yields, but produced berries with thick skins and remarkable concentration.

Winemaking and ageing

Alcoholic fermentation takes place at controlled temperatures, between 28 and 30°C. This is followed by spontaneous malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels and casks for around 14 months. Finally, it rests for a further month in stainless steel tanks before bottling.

Grape variety

Nerello Mascalese.