Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso 'Bellacolonna' 20th Anniversary Calderara Sottana 2022
IN STOCK
$43.00
The Terre Nere estate has roughly 43 hectares of vineyards, along with 150 olive trees. Roughly 4.5 of these have been uprooted and will be replanted within two years after letting the soil “rest”. Two vineyards, for a total of roughly 11-12 hectares, make up the Calderara Cru, of which 1.5 hectares are pre-phylloxera; the rest are about 40-50 years old (and they have not been uprooted). Two different vineyards comprise the Guardiola Cru, for a total of 2.1 hectares, almost all of which is pre-phylloxera (except for some replanted vines). The Guardiola vineyards are the highest-altitude red-grape vineyards in Europe! The “Feudo di Mezzo” Cru is made up of two other vineyards, for a total of 1.35 hectares.
500,000 years of volcanic eruptions have created endless soil variation in neighboring plots of land, many of them radical. The soil at Terre Nere is mostly volcanic ash speckled by black pumice and peppered with abundant volcanic rock; to call it ‘rocky’ is putting it mildly! The weather variations in the area are profound and generally characterized by exposure, altitude, and ‘airiness,’ defined here as the character of a well-exposed vineyard not protected by hills, and therefore open to the cooling and drying effects of the wind. This is particularly important at Terre Nere because the harvest usually takes place in the last weeks of October, meaning that the grapes are in their most fragile state when the weather ‘breaks’ its autumn pattern, making them susceptible to oidium and mildew. The ‘airiness’ of the climate, however, helps to dry out the grapes after rain and moisture threaten mold.
100% Nerello Mascalese from the contrada of Calderara Sottana on the northern slopes of Mount Etna. This bottling celebrates the 20th anniversary of the first harvest. A selection of grapes from the 3-hectare ‘Bellacolonna’ subplot of Calderara Sottana planted in 2006 & 2007, 600-650 meters above sea level. Extremely rocky volcanic soils comprised of black pumice and solid volcanic rocks. Fermentation takes place under controlled temperatures with spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Aging in French oak barriques, tonneaux and cask (10% new oak) for 14 months before resting in stainless steel prior to bottling.
"This is a special bottling for the 20th anniversary of the estate. It has depth and intensity with a medium to full body, a creamy stone and basalt texture, red fruits and a mushroom and bark undertone. The linear, vivid finish goes on and on. Needs time to open. Be patient." - 95 Points, James Suckling
"Vivid and intense, a burst of autumnal spices, dusty rose, and blood orange gives way to dried strawberries as the 2022 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Bellacolonna blossoms in the glass. Simply stunning, it splashes across the palate with crunchy wild berry fruits and mineral tones, all motivated by a core of zesty acidity. It leaves a staining of primary concentration and silky tannins to linger through the violet-tinged finale as hints of confectionery spice fade slowly. The Bellacolonna is from a young vine selection planted in 2006 and 2007 within the Calderara Sottana cru." - 93 Points, Vinous
Producer: Tenuta delle Terre Nere
Country: Italy
Region: Sicily
Varietal: Nerello Mascalese
Appellation: Etna DOC
Vintage: 2022
Size: 750ml