Girolamo Russo
Etna Bianco San Lorenzo 2024
| Denomination | DOC Etna Bianco |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 13.0% by volume |
| Area | Sicily (Italy) |
| Grape varieties | 90% Carricante, Catarratto Bianco Comune, Grecanico Dorato |
| Aging | 6 months in second and third passage barriques and tonneaux; at least 6 months of bottle ageing |
- Grape varieties: 90% Carricante with Catarratto Bianco Comune and Grecanico Dorato
- Terroir: 750 metres on the northern slope of Etna, on volcanic sands rich in minerals
- Vinification: 4 hours of skin maceration; controlled fermentation at 12-15°C
- Ageing: 6 months in used wood and at least 6 months in bottle
- Tasting notes: citrus and floral notes, spicy accents; fresh, savoury and mineral palate
Description
What kind of wine it is
San Lorenzo Bianco by Girolamo Russo is a refined still white wine that expresses the most authentic soul of Etna Bianco. This blend skilfully harmonises the Carricante, Catarratto Bianco Comune and Grecanico Dorato varieties. In appearance, it shows a straw yellow colour with subtle golden highlights. The bouquet is elegant, characterised by citrus and floral notes enriched with delicate spicy nuances. On the palate, the sip is fresh and well-structured, with balanced acidity that enhances a pronounced minerality and leads to a persistent finish, perfect for pairing with shellfish and sushi.
Where it comes from
The grapes come from the northern slope of Etna, specifically from the San Lorenzo area in Sicily. The vineyards are situated at around 750 metres above sea level, where eighty-year-old vines are cultivated using the traditional alberello system. The sandy volcanic soil, rich in minerals, is the key element that gives the wine its characteristic savouriness. This particular geological matrix shapes the identity of the territory, imparting a profound mineral expression that makes the taste structure taut, clean and vibrant.
How it is produced
Production begins with the harvest carried out in the first half of October. The grapes undergo a gentle skin maceration for four hours to extract the maximum aromatic profile. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature, between twelve and fifteen degrees, to preserve the fruit's fragrance. Subsequently, the wine matures for six months in second and third passage barrels, gaining complexity without losing freshness. A further six months of bottle ageing completes its balance, making it ideal for accompanying dishes based on lean fish, fried foods and goat's cheeses.
History and Curiosities
Born on the northern slope of Etna, San Lorenzo Bianco comes to life from 80-year-old vines at an altitude of 750 metres. Rooted in sandy volcanic soil, it expresses the pure mineral energy of the region. The 2024 vintage is an exclusive rarity, produced in only 1,200 bottles: a Sicilian excellence acclaimed by critics, awarded 95 points by James Suckling, the Tre Bicchieri from Gambero Rosso and the 5 Grappoli from Bibenda.
Awards
-
2024
5Italian Sommelier Foundation (FIS) guide This has been one of the most prestigious wine guides in Italy for over 10 years.
-
2024
3This guide is highly respected and offers the most comprehensive review of Italian wines. It has a long tradition and is based on blind tastings carried out by over 100 experts.
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2024
95/100
James Suckling is an influential American wine critic and journalist who worked at Wine Spectator for 30 years. He left the magazine in 2010 to start his own website and guidebook (JamesSuckling.com). He specialises in Italian and Bordeaux wines.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
10 - 12 °C
Longevity:
05 - 10 years
- Start up year: 2005
- Oenologist: Emiliano Falsini
- Bottles produced: 70.000
- Hectares: 18
This is the north face of Europe’s largest active volcano, Mount Etna, in the north-eastern corner of Sicily.
The Russos have 26 hectares of land in and around Passopisciaro, with 15 hectares of vineyards surrounded by olive and hazelnut groves. The vineyards are high up, between 650 and 780 metres above sea level, inland from the beautiful town of Taormina. Many of the free-standing bush vines are over 80 years old, surviving in harmony with Etna’s black, mineral-rich volcanic soil.
Giuseppe works the vineyards organically and makes the wines himself. He vinifies each parcel separately, seeking out their individual identities in a series of wines that reflect the diverse character of their terroirs.
Some lava flows are very recent, too recent even to plant on.
The area is broken up into sectors known as ‘contradas’. Each contrada has a name and is linked to one of Etna’s townships. Read more
| Name | Girolamo Russo Etna Bianco San Lorenzo 2024 |
|---|---|
| Type | White green still |
| Denomination | Etna DOC |
| Vintage | 2024 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 13.0% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 90% Carricante, Catarratto Bianco Comune, Grecanico Dorato |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Vendor | Girolamo Russo |
| Story | History and Curiosities Born on the northern slope of Etna, San Lorenzo Bianco comes to life from 80-year-old vines at an altitude of 750 metres. Rooted in sandy volcanic soil, it expresses the pure mineral energy of the region. The 2024 vintage is an exclusive rarity, produced in only 1,200 bottles: a Sicilian excellence acclaimed by critics, awarded 95 points by James Suckling, the Tre Bicchieri from Gambero Rosso and the 5 Grappoli from Bibenda. |
| Origin | Pendici nord dell’Etna (San Lorenzo), Sicilia |
| Soil composition | Volcanic, sandy soil, rich in minerals. |
| Cultivation system | Bush vine and "modified" bush vine on an espalier |
| Harvest | First half of October |
| Fermentation temperature | 12 5 °C |
| Production technique | Vinification with 4 hours of skin maceration; fermentation at 12 5 °C; ageing for 6 months in second and third use barriques and tonneaux, and at least 6 months in bottle |
| Wine making | Vinification with 4 hours of maceration on the skins; fermentation at 12 5 °C; ageing for 6 months in second and third use barriques and tonneaux, and a minimum of 6 months in bottle. |
| Aging | 6 months in second and third passage barriques and tonneaux; at least 6 months of bottle ageing |
| Year production | 1200 bottles |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |