“Contrada Zottorinoto” Rosso Riserva Etna DOC 2019

Cottanera | Sicily
Cottanera S.r.l. Agricola | Via XVII Luglio 34 | IT 98100 Messina

19232219 · 0,75 l · 132,00 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping< 24 units available

Zottorinoto is not just any contrada – it is a legend among connoisseurs of Etna. Embedded in the historic parcel landscape around Castiglione di Sicilia, this single vineyard rests at 750 metres above sea level, characterised by ancient, barren lava flows rich in basalt, ash and volcanic sand. Wines with a crystal-clear mineral identity are produced here, in which the fire of Mount Etna meets the cool elegance of high altitudes. Only a small proportion of the vines – exclusively Nerello Mascalese – is earmarked for this exceptional Riserva. The vines are deeply rooted in the dark soils, many of them over half a century old, cultivated in the traditional Alberello way. Vinification is carried out with the utmost care: manual harvest in small crates, spontaneous fermentation on the skins for around 30 days, gentle pumping over, long maceration. The wine then matures for 24 months in French tonneaux (partly new), followed by a further 24 months in the bottle. The 2019 vintage was balanced and cool – with long vegetation cycles, ideal ripeness and striking freshness. A year for long-lasting, precisely structured wines.

A dense, bright ruby red colour with a garnet red core in the glass. The nose is complex and multi-layered: ripe sour cherry, dried raspberry, Mediterranean herbs, smoky stone, liquorice, walnut and a hint of tar – like an archaic symphony from a volcano. Powerful and gripping on the palate, with tightly woven tannins that appear polished. The fruit is deep and cool, carried by a lively, vibrant acidity and the finest spice. The final is vibrantly long, with salty minerality and balsamic depth – a crazy wine that does not end, but lingers endlessly in the memory. Anyone who wants to experience the wines of Etna in their most intellectual form will find a worthy ambassador here. Around 2,000 bottles go on sale in the best years. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium red; reductive, chocolaty-dark fruity, inviting; barrel-like, coffee, juicy, good tannin, length" Merum

"In the nose with wild herbal aromas and earthy-mineral notes, undergrowth, walnuts, ash and warm earth. Full-bodied in the mouth with a well-defined body, beautiful substance with savoury nuances, quite long with a salty final." Weinwisser

"This is a wild and earthy red wine with notes of watermelon, walnuts, ash, minerals and earth. It has a medium body and nice substance. Long, savoury and spicy." James Suckling

"The 2019 Etna Rosso Zottorinoto is dark, floral and earthy in the glass, with a mix of grilled herbs, crushed rocks and blackberries making up its bouquet. It shows silky textures and masses of mineral red and black fruits. There are hints of cocoa towards the end. It finishes with a layer of fine tannins and a hint of primary concentration, balanced by a touch of residual acidity that maintains a fantastic freshness despite its youthful structure." Vinous

"Slightly creamy and silky in texture, it combines balsamic herbal notes with red and blue berries and ends with a hint of orange peel. This Riserva from the Contrada Zottorinoto in Castiglione di Sicilia has had a longer maturation period and is also more acidic than the Feudo di Mezzo. It is juicy, savoury and intense, a wonderful wine." Decanter

"The top wine from Cottanera is the 2019 Etna Rosso Riserva Zottorinoto. This is an impressive achievement with great aromatic intensity that flows into a long and polished mouthfeel. The wine glides across the palate with flavours of redcurrant, cranberry and delicate lavender. It offers excellent integration, especially given the added fruit concentration inherent in this vintage." Wine Advocate