Terre Nere Prephylloxera 'La Vigna di Don Peppino' Calderara Sottana Rosso Etna 2023

Named after the farmer who was so compelled by the grapes it was possible to produce, that he cultivated this vineyard with much care for over 70 years before it came to be in Marco’s possession. This vineyard is contained within the larger Contrada, Calderara Sottana, and sits on soils deposited by the pre-Etna ‘Elitticco’ volcano. The vineyard contains plants that avoided the ravages of Phylloxera and are more than 140 years in age. The vineyard sits at 620m asl. This is a supremely complex wine with intensity, concentration, balance, and elegance. It has youthful austerity and smolders with ash, spice and dried floral notes. Blood orange and orange peel are prevalent as can be with Nerello. In this wine they provide needed lift to the concentrated fruits and spice that the palate is packed with.
        

The 2023 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino Calderara Sottana opens like a flower shop on the nose, intensely layered with depths of black cherry and spice. This is more lifted and graceful than expected, with a sour citrus tinge, tart wild berry fruits and mineral tones. Edgy tannins pinch at the cheeks as the 2023 resonates with blue and purple inner florals and a bitter liquorice concentration that lingers impossibly long.

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