“Calderara Sottana Edizione Speciale” Rosso Etna DOC 2021 late release

Tenuta delle Terre Nere | Sicily
Az. Agr. Tenuta delle Terre Nere | Contrada Calderara | IT 95036 Randazzo

19172321 · 0,75 l · 85,33 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately
Limitation of 3 articles per customer

Between 60,000 and 15,000 years before Christ, Mount Etna eroded its ancient centre – the Ellittico eruptive complex collapsed in on itself. What remains are some of the oldest surface soils on the volcano that can still be used for cultivation. Subsequent lava flows buried the older layers beneath them; only small, rare plots of Ellittico survived on the surface. On the northern flank of Mount Etna, there are three contrade with pure Ellittico terroir: Bocca d'Orzo, Calderara and San Lorenzo. Three out of hundreds. Calderara – the name evokes warmth. The stones here, fist-sized and light, a mixture of black pumice and basalt, absorb the sun's heat during the day and slowly release it back into the soil during the cold nights. Without this invisible thermal balance, the ripening process at an altitude of 600 to 650 metres would be quite different. Don pep, who tended these vineyards for seventy years, found the most precise word to describe the wines from this site: "cremosi". It's true – and it couldn't be put any better.

100% Nerello Mascalese from vines between 50 and 100 years old. Marco de Grazia describes the Calderara as the most complete of his crus – like a wide-angle lens that captures the broadest panorama. Distinctly autumnal, spicy, aromatic and tart all at once. An indescribable richness on the palate – and yet always astonishingly ethereal. The 2021 vintage was released earlier and has long since sold out. However, De Grazia did not release all the bottles for sale at the time. Five years in his cellar – not as a punishment, but as a gift to time. What the Nerello Mascalese from this vineyard develops with three further years of bottle ageing requires precisely this time to integrate the tannins, deepen the autumnal character and bring out the creaminess that Don pepalready knew. A strictly limited portion of the 2021 vintage is therefore only now being released as an "Edizione Speciale" – matured, complete and ready – and we are delighted to be able to offer you a small allocation of it.

A deep, luminous garnet red with hints of ruby. On the nose, autumn leaves, dried rose, blackberry, camphor, spices and a volcanic mineral note that reveals the vineyard's origin. On the palate, it is extraordinarily full-bodied yet light at the same time – creamy, as Don pepdescribed it – with long, well-integrated tannins and a final that seems to go on forever. SUPERIORE.DE

"A brilliant ruby-red colour with a lighter rim. On the nose, it is delicately fragrant and lively, with plenty of floral notes reminiscent of lavender and violets, a hint of mint, followed by ripe rosehips and cherries. On the palate, ripe fruit and plenty of spice; compact and well-structured, with gripping acidity and rich tannins; a long, juicy finish." Falstaff

"Depths of spiced black cherries, blood orange, dried herbs and cigar ash form a beguiling bouquet as the 2021 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Selezione Speciale smolders up from the glass. This reveals amazing energy and grace, with silky textures lifted by bright acidity and crisp red berry fruits that flow across a core of crunchy minerality. The 2021 finishes pleasantly chewy, still quite firm, leaving behind adolescent tannins as hints of wild strawberry fade." Vinous

"This wine captivates with lively notes of red berries, blood oranges, subtle spices and a hint of terracotta. It is medium-bodied, juicy and fruit-driven, with lively acidity and dusty tannins. The finish reveals a hint of bitter orange. Long and chalky, yet already very appealing and a delight to drink." James Suckling

"It offers a deep, full-bodied aroma of pure red and black fruits with hints of violets, spices, balsam and cocoa. Full-bodied, juicy and spicy – an incredibly beautiful Nerello Mascalese, whose purity of red fruit is underscored by notes of spice and stone, a hint of saltiness and a long, silky and creamy finish. Simply enticing." Decanter