Girolamo Russo - Etna Rosso 'a Rina 2023

Set on the north slope of the mountain, at an altitude of 650-780 metres above sea-level, the winery’s vineyards cover 18 hectares, surrounded by hazelnut and olive groves.

Re-established by Giuseppe Russo in 2005, and dedicated to the memory of his father Girolamo, the winery is a powerful expression of Giuseppe’s desire to respect and conserve his family’s traditional values, but interpreting those values in a new and personal way, introducing and developing new approaches to winemaking, but remaining in the village of his birth, Passopisciaro – the centre of the recent renaissance in the great red wines of Etna.

Giuseppe and his staff farm the estate organically, employing the traditional methods which have permitted these ancient vineyards to survive for well over a century.

And so, the old bush-trained (or head-trained) vines and new cordon-trained vines grow side-by-side, and the plants are tended to the old-fashioned way, by hand: spur pruning, ploughing, hoeing, trellising, and spraying with copper sulphate. In October, at harvest time, the grapes are carefully selected and the grapes from each vineyard are harvested and fermented separately, ensuring that the wine expresses the specificity of its terroir – the perfumes, colours and austere sweetness of each of these vineyards.

Ruby red in color. Elegant, with good complexity, hints of cherry and plum, notes of leather and tobacco. Fresh and complex, with soft, velvety tannins, good structure and pleasant drinkability; silky, lingering finish.

"The 2023 Etna Rosso A Rina wafts up with a savory profile, mixing woodland berry with nuances of sage, wet concrete and a burst of tangerine. This displays a lovely sweetness with its ripe strawberry and cherry fruits as rosy inner florals cascade throughout. It leaves a saturation of primary concentration as depths of tart raspberry mingle with autumnal spices through the long, refreshing finish. The product of severe selection, this is the only red from Girolamo Russo in 2023 due to the challenges of the year. It is not to be missed" - 93 Points, Vinous

“There is freshness here with redcurrants, pomegranate, black pepper, flowers and earthy notes. Medium- to full-bodied, this has sweet fruit on the palate, velvety tannins, an integrated, refreshing acidity and a brilliant finish. Delicious to drink now, though this crunchy wine has aging potential.” - 94 Points, James Suckling

Producer: Girolamo Russo 

Country: Italy

Region: Sicily

Varietal: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio

Appellation: Etna Rosso

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml