2021 Tenuta Delle Terre Nere Prephylloxera Calderara Sottana Etna Rosso

It's easy to underestimate the impact the wines of Mount Etna have had over the last 10 years. From near obscurity, to now being some of the most highly sought after wines of Italy, led in part from producers such as Tenuta delle Terre Nere. The winery is owned by the widely acclaimed Marco De Grazia who is one of the winemakers responsible for bringing the wines of Etna to prominence on the world stage.
The red wines of Etna, produced from predominantly Nerello Mascalese, are often compared to a variety marrying the traits of Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir. Terre Nere take their wines a step further than most, and highlight the cru vineyards of the region with wines made at varying altitudes, along with vines planted on the pure Ellittico lava flow terroir. These delicate, perfumed, and intense wines translate the soil and season like few other wines in the world, and with demand far outweighing supply they are now increasingly hard to secure.
The single vineyard Calderara Sottana is produced from old vines planted on the pure Ellittico lava flow terroir. Within this vineyard are two parcels planted on their own rootstocks which are over 130 years old. This Prephylloxera bottling displays a similar style of complex flavours to the younger vine Calderara Sottana wine, with a greater level of elegance and finesse, often needing a decant or additional cellaring time.

Other Reviews....
This has impressive depth and complexity with an array of red and dark berries mixed with dark chocolate, ground spices and burnt orange peel. All of this fragrance sits on a bed of smoked, ashy, dark stone and wet asphalt undertones. Full and deep with very fine, silky tannins. So much tension and force here. It goes on for minutes, ending with a seamless, textural finish. From ancient, pre-phylloxera vines. Try now, but this will age beautifully. Better after 2026.
98 points
JamesSuckling.com