Terre Nere : Etna Rosso Prephylloxera Calderara Sottana 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Etna Rosso Prephylloxera Calderara Sottana 2022 Terre Nere

Tasting

Color
This Italian red wine reveals a delicate pale ruby colour, subtly tinged with mahogany hues.

Nose
Particularly complex and multidimensional, the aromatic bouquet opens with hints of sweet spices, violet, and volcanic ash. With aeration, it releases enticing notes of dried black cherry, raspberry, and blackcurrant, harmoniously intertwined with Mediterranean touches of sage, eucalyptus, mint, and lavender.

Palate
Combining a silky texture with remarkable presence, the palate offers velvety, perfectly integrated tannins. The vibrant acidity brings lovely tension and great elegance, guiding the tasting toward a persistent, refined, and delicately light finish.

Food and wine pairing

This cuvée pairs wonderfully with roasted lean red meats, braised game birds, or small game. It particularly shines alongside braised lamb with mushrooms and Mediterranean herbs, or dishes featuring umami flavors such as sun-dried tomatoes.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate the complexity of the Etna Rosso Prephylloxera Calderara Sottana 2022, extended aeration or decanting is recommended before serving, at an ideal temperature between 18 and 20°C. With remarkable aging potential, this wine can be enjoyed until approximately 2042.

The authentic expression of a volcanic terroir in the Etna appellation

The estate

Founded in 2002 by Marco de Grazia, the Tenuta delle Terre Nere estate quickly established itself as a leading reference in Sicily, on the slopes of Mount Etna in Italy. A pioneer in parcel-by-parcel micro-vinification and certified organic from its very beginnings, the estate champions the pure expression of its unique terroirs. Today, Marco de Grazia remains at the helm of the estate and continues to oversee its day-to-day management, bolstered by a recent strategic partnership with the prestigious Tuscan family Marchesi de' Frescobaldi, who have joined in this pursuit of excellence.

The vineyard

Located on the northern slope of Mount Etna, the Calderara Sottana contrada is home to a historic plot known as "La Vigna di Don Peppino". Spanning just 0.8 hectares at an altitude of around 600 meters, this exceptional terroir stands out for its extremely shallow, rocky volcanic soils composed of black pumice, basalt, and ash. It is home to very old, ungrafted vines, over 140 years old, which miraculously survived the phylloxera epidemic.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Etna Rosso Prephylloxera Calderara Sottana 2022 are hand-harvested before being partially destemmed. Alcoholic fermentation takes place under controlled temperatures between 28 and 30°C, followed by spontaneous malolactic fermentation driven by indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels (about a quarter of which are new) for fourteen to eighteen months, finishing with one month of resting in stainless steel tanks.

Grape variety

100% Nerello Mascalese