“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. Shipping< 24 units available
Limitation of 2 articles per customer

In the tranquil stillness 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 viable economically – 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

"Crushed plum, wild blueberry, sweet sage and lavender pastille join together in a seductive bouquet as the 2024 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don pepCalderara Sottana blossoms in the glass. This possesses a pretty inner sweetness and velvety textures, feeling like cashmere on the palate as liquid violet florals and masses of ripe red and blue fruits settle in. The 2024's sheer weight and depth are balanced by a core of zesty acidity as firming tannins slowly saturate. This is long, potent and structured, yet still fresh. It's a completely unique edition of the Etna Rosso Prephylloxera. So enticing." Vinous

"The Tenuta delle Terre Nere 2024 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Prephylloxera le Vigne di Don pepcomes from a triangular parcel enclosed within the larger rectangular Calderara Sottana vineyard, planted to pre-phylloxera vines approximately 150 years old. The wine does not hold back; in 2024, it reveals itself immediately. It evokes the opulence of Marie Antoinette's boudoir, says vintner Marco de Grazia, with softness, richness, sweetness, an almost lavish sense of wealth and beauty. The tannins are subtle, but considerable power remains beneath them, creating a deep and lasting sensation in the mouth." Wine Advocate

"An incredible wine with an intensity and magnificent fruitiness that only old vines of around 130 years or older can offer. Aromas of pure berries, cherries and a hint of vanilla give way to a medium-bodied to full-bodied wine with silky, well-integrated tannins that lend it a soft, caressing texture. The finish lingers for minutes on end." James Suckling