2020 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....
Aromas of stone, clay, orange peel, dried sage, baked red cherry and moss. Medium-to full-bodied with tense tannins that drive the palate and keep all of the complex fruit, mineral and herbal notes in line. So much to unpack. There’s depth, intensity and complexity, all in line with one another. Pine cone at the end. From organically grown grapes. Made from two parcels of ungrafted old vines in Contrada Calderara Sottana. Best from 2025.
97 points
JamesSuckling.com