Etna Rosso 'Calderara Sottana'

Score

99

"The purity and clarity to this really talks to you, with red cherry, orange peel, citrus blossom and basalt. Hints of smoke and tar, too. The transparency is really something here. From eight vineyards with vines of 60 or more years old, the best vines being more that 100 years old. 12,000 bottles. Drink now."

Score

96

"The Tenuta delle Terre Nere 2022 Calderara Sottana Etna Rosso is drop-dead gorgeous, starting with its heady scents of wild rose, blue flower, camphor and dark, exotic spice. Made from extremely old vines in what are some of the rockiest soils in the denomination, it's smooth, delicious and elegantly structured, delivering layers of ripe raspberry, creamed strawberry, bitter orange, star anise and crushed mint. A saline mineral tang signals the close while taut, ultra-refined tannins provide seamless support. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced and energized. Drink 2027–2034. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O'Keefe July 2024"

Score

96

"Aromatic intensity characterizes the 2022 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana as crushed ashen stone and grilled herb aromas blow off to reveal spiced orange peels, dried black cherries and cloves. A captivating lift from vibrant acidity enlivens the wine's luxurious textures. Saline minerality enhances ripe wild berry fruits as grippy tannins build throughout. The finish is remarkably long and concentrated, displaying a youthful structure and a persistent, pleasantly tart edginess. This expertly blends generosity with power."

Score

95

"The Tenuta delle Terre Nere 2022 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana is easy to identify in a blind tasting. That's because of the deft hand of its creator, vintner Marco de Grazia. I point specifically to the expert use of oak on the often fragile Nerello Mascalese grape from old vines and volcanic soils. This wine sees 16 months in French barrique and tonneaux, and although you taste the grain and the spice of the wood selected, you also get a clear view on the fruit. Blackcurrant, crushed rose and campfire ash rise from the bouquet. This site has less ash mixed into the soils and is positioned at 600 to 650 meters above sea level. This is a release of 10,000 bottles, and each is stamped with the words"

Score

94

"This cru bottling from vines in Randazzo is youthfully creamy, offering little aroma other than that of the wood it has rested in along with stony flecks of mango and peach. Full, concentrated and with great acidity, this is a vital Carricante which has sufficient earthy yellow fruits ûáthink pineapple, nectarine and yellow plum ûáto flesh out its backbone of stone and acid; a vertical yet full style which will only gain in power and weight as it ages. Impressive."

Score

93

"High-toned and floral on the nose, this is well-spiced on the palate, with ground cardamom, clove and sandalwood accents lacing the macerated cherry and raspberry fruit, dried thyme and blood orange peel flavors. Elegant and finely knit, with a raw silk–like, textured feel to the limber tannins and good length through the persistent finish. Drink now through 2035. —A.N."

Score

96

"Another of Terre Nere's ÁGrande Terroir Ellittico, wines, Calderara Sottana is from stonier, rockier volcanic soil than even San Lorenzo to the west. Vinified and aged in the same way †ÿas are all of Marco De Grazia's contrada reds †ÿit offers a deep, full aroma of pure red and black fruits with some violet, spice, balsam and cocoa overtones. Fleshy, succulent and sapid, this is an incredibly beautiful Nerello Mascalese, with purity of red fruits underlined by some spice and stoniness, a hint of salinity and a long, silky, creamy finish. So inviting."

Score

95

Score

94

Score

94

Score

92

Score

96

Score

95

Score

94+

Score

93

Score

93

Score

92