Tenuta delle Terre Nere
Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino Calderara Sottana 2023
| Denomination | DOC Etna Rosso |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.5% by volume |
| Area | Sicily (Italy) |
| Grape varieties | 98% Nerello Mascalese, 2% Nerello Cappuccio |
| Aging | Aged in French oak barriques for 15–18 months, then one month in stainless steel before bottling. |
- Pre-phylloxera vines: 130-year-old ungrafted vines on the volcanic soils of Etna
- Origin: Calderara Sottana, northern slope of Etna at 650 m, with significant temperature variation
- Grape blend: 98% Nerello Mascalese and 2% Nerello Cappuccio; Etna Rosso DOC 2023
- Ageing: stainless steel and then French oak for 15–18 months, followed by 1 month in stainless steel
- Profile and awards: black cherry, spices and minerality; 97 Vinous, 96 James Suckling
Description
What kind of wine it is
Terre Nere Don Peppino Prephylloxera is a still red wine from Etna, created from a harmonious blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio grapes. This expression from Tenuta delle Terre Nere comes from ungrafted vines, revealing a concentrated and elegant character. The aromatic profile opens with notes of black cherry and tangy wild berries, enriched by a citrus nuance, spices, and a distinct mineral imprint. The medium structure is supported by grippy tannins that add vibrancy, leading to a persistent finish with hints of bitter liquorice.
Where it comes from
This red wine comes to life in the Calderara Sottana area, on the northern slope of Etna. The two dedicated vineyards stretch across volcanic soils at an altitude of 650 metres. The local climate, characterised by strong temperature variations between day and night, promotes optimal grape ripening, ensuring freshness and aromatic precision. Here, rare, centuries-old vines that have survived phylloxera grow, an invaluable agricultural heritage that gives this wine a profound mineral tension and a distinctive identity linked to the mountain.
How it is produced
The vines are cultivated using the Etnean bush-trained system converted to espalier, tended with great care until the harvest in October. Vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures to preserve varietal purity. Maturation then continues in French oak barrels for a period between fifteen and eighteen months, enriching the wine's structural profile. A final resting period in steel ensures the perfect balance between the solid tannic structure and the complex essence of the volcanic terroir.
History and Curiosities
The Etna Rosso Prephylloxera from Tenuta delle Terre Nere is a prestigious tribute to the volcanic terroir of Calderara Sottana. The grapes come from rare ungrafted vines that are 130 years old, miraculously surviving the devastating phylloxera epidemic of the nineteenth century. Located on the northern slope of the volcano and cultivated organically, these historic plants enhance an exceptional area, known as the “Burgundy of the Mediterranean”. The result is a jewel of rare aromatic complexity, capable of combining ancient charm with timeless elegance.
Awards
-
2023
96/100
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.
-
2023
97/100
Vinous is the online guide from Antonio Galloni, one of the world's leading wine connoisseurs.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
16 - 18 °C
Longevity:
15 - 25 years
Decanting time:
1 hour
- Start up year: 2002
- Oenologist: Calogero Statella
- Bottles produced: 300.000
- Hectares: 35
| Name | Terre Nere Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino Calderara Sottana 2023 |
|---|---|
| Type | Red green still |
| Denomination | Etna DOC |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.5% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 98% Nerello Mascalese, 2% Nerello Cappuccio |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Vendor | Tenuta delle Terre Nere |
| Story | History and Curiosities The Etna Rosso Prephylloxera from Tenuta delle Terre Nere is a prestigious tribute to the volcanic terroir of Calderara Sottana. The grapes come from rare ungrafted vines that are 130 years old, miraculously surviving the devastating phylloxera epidemic of the nineteenth century. Located on the northern slope of the volcano and cultivated organically, these historic plants enhance an exceptional area, known as the "Burgundy of the Mediterranean". The result is a jewel of rare aromatic complexity, capable of combining ancient charm with timeless elegance. |
| Origin | Calderara Sottana (Randazzo, province of Catania), northern slope of Etna, Sicily, Italy |
| Climate | Strong temperature variation typical of high altitude on the northern slope of Mount Etna |
| Soil composition | Volcanic |
| Cultivation system | Traditional Etna alberello, converted to espalier |
| Yield per hectare | 5,000–6,000 kg/hectare |
| Harvest | Autumn (first ten days of October) |
| Production technique | Red wine vinification in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature; ageing in French oak barriques for 15–18 months, then one month in steel before bottling |
| Wine making | Red vinification in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature; ageing in French oak barrels for 15–18 months, then a further month in steel before bottling. |
| Aging | Aged in French oak barriques for 15–18 months, then one month in stainless steel before bottling. |
| Total acidity | 5.5 gr/L |
| Dry extract | 28.0 gr/L |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |