“Prephylloxera” Rosso Etna DOC 2024

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

19172624 · 0,75 l · 198,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately
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In the tranquil eternity of Calderara Sottana, where time follows its own rules, lies a sanctuary: La Vigna di Don pep. Here, on barely 0.8 hectares of ancient volcanic soil, the vines have worked a miracle: they survived the great phylloxera disaster that ravaged the whole of Europe more than a century ago and destroyed millions of vineyards. These few rows of ungrafted Nerello Mascalese vines, which have been rooted in the stony soils of the elliptical terroir since 1880, are living witnesses to over 140 years of viticultural history. They stand there like aged princesses in a royal garden; their charming wrinkles tell of generations they have seen come and go, whilst they themselves have remained steadfast.

Don pep, that legendary farmer who devoted 70 years of his life to these precious vines, recognised their extraordinary nature. With boundless devotion, he tended them, day after day, year after year, as if he knew he was the guardian of a priceless legacy. His love and understanding of these ancient vines saved them from oblivion – and Marco de Grazia honoured this devotion by naming the vineyard after him.

Prephylloxera Rosso reveals a dark, seductive and youthfully reserved character. It unfolds with a blend of sweet spices, dusty violets and ash, giving way to dried black cherries, sage and cloves. Velvety yet full of finesse, a polished wave of ripe red and blue fruits flows over a juicy stream of acidity. Hints of tart citrus provide contrast on the finish. It finishes remarkably fresh and vibrant, whilst crisp tannins linger and a hint of lavender slowly fades.

These rare vines, which have grown on their original rootstock and have never been grafted onto an American rootstock, lend the wine an elegance and complexity that have become rare in the modern world of wine. Their extremely low yields of just 4–5 tonnes per hectare make them scarcely economically viable – yet they are a sanctuary of flavour, a tribute to the past and a promise for the future. An elegant and truly harmonious masterpiece: the quintessence of Calderara and a silent ambassador of unrivalled refinement. SUPERIORE.DE