Terre Nere : Etna Rosso Prephylloxera Calderara Sottana 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Terre Nere Etna Rosso Prephylloxera Calderara Sottana 2023

Tasting

Colour
An intense ruby red hue reveals subtle mahogany reflections as it evolves in the glass.

Nose
Remarkably complex, it opens with an enchanting floral bouquet, intertwined with deep aromas of black cherry and spice. These are joined by mineral notes, tangy wild berries, citrus, along with touches of Mediterranean scrubland, lavender, eucalyptus and smoke.

Palate
Energetic and beautifully tense, the attack reveals youthful tannins that evolve into a silky texture reminiscent of wild silk. The palate, of an airy elegance, unveils flavours of ripe raspberry, blackcurrant and crushed mint, underpinned by nuances of cocoa and vanilla. The finish, exceptionally long, lingers on notes of liquorice and flowers.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs wonderfully with fine poultry, a white meat ragù or a roasted rack of lamb. It also enhances mushroom-based dishes, such as a porcini risotto, as well as firm-fleshed fish or mature cheeses.

Service and storage

Endowed with great ageing potential, this Etna Rosso Prephylloxera Calderara Sottana 2023 will evolve beautifully over time to reveal its full complexity.

The pure, volcanic expression of a great Etna wine

The estate

Founded in 2002 by Marco de Grazia, who remains its owner and guiding spirit, the Tenuta delle Terre Nere estate is located on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, in Sicily. A pioneer in recognising volcanic terroirs, the estate spans around 45 hectares farmed organically. Recently bolstered by a minority stake taken by the Frescobaldi family, the estate stands out for its commitment to showcasing the region's unique microclimates through exceptionally refined single-vineyard cuvées.

The vineyard

Located in the Calderara Sottana contrada, on the northern face of Etna, this plot sits at an altitude of between 600 and 700 metres. The terroir is distinguished by extremely rocky volcanic soils, covered in ash and black pumice stones that retain heat, creating a particularly warm microclimate. The vines, trained in a goblet system and farmed organically, are true survivors: ungrafted, they predate the phylloxera crisis and boast a venerable age of over 140 years, naturally yielding very low quantities.

The vintage

The year was marked by major climatic challenges throughout the growing cycle, causing significant stress to the vines and substantial crop losses. Despite these difficult conditions, the growing cycle allowed the surviving grapes to reach optimal ripeness.

Winemaking and ageing

The winemaking of this Etna Rosso Prephylloxera Calderara Sottana 2023 involves meticulous care to gently extract colour and tannins. After a spontaneous malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for sixteen to eighteen months in French oak barrels and casks, a quarter of which are new. Ageing concludes with one month in steel tanks before bottling without filtration.

Grape variety

100% Nerello Mascalese