"Druerne hentes fra 0,8 ha contrada Calderara Sottana med planter, der står på egne rodstokke i den vulkanske sten- og askeholdige jord, og de er sat før 1881 og overlevede vinlusens hærgen på Etna. Underteksten La Vigna di Don Peppino refererer til den bonde, der i over 70 år passede og plejede disse unikke planter. Angivelsen Grande terroir ellittico henviser til, at jorden er den mest sjældne og den ældste af de dyrkbare på Etna, som kan føres tilbage til den såkaldte elliptiske vulkan for 15.000-66.000 år siden. Denne majestætiske vin repræsenterer det vel nok ypperste udtryk for vulkansk individueret Nerello Mascalese hos Terre Nere" Adriat
"As much as owner Marc de Grazia likes to make comparisons with Burgundy, what I find so compelling about this wine is how evocatively it speaks of Mount Etna. It captures the energy of the active volcano, the tension of cultivating on its changeable slopes, the profuseness of scented vegetation and the paradox of place and style. A gorgeously perfumed nose expands with ash, strawberry, spice and blood orange, then dried herbs and floral brush. Buoyantly weighted, the palate has chalky depths of seamlessly integrated tannins. This deepens and darkens in the glass, showing a wild side while remaining fresh and tangy." Decanter 97p
"Aromas of stone, clay, orange peel, dried sage, baked red cherry and moss. Medium-to full-bodied with tense tannins that drive the palate and keep all of the complex fruit, mineral and herbal notes in line. So much to unpack. Theres depth, intensity and complexity, all in line with one another. Pine cone at the end. From organically grown grapes. Made from two parcels of ungrafted old vines in Contrada Calderara Sottana." James Suckling 97p
"Remarkably pretty and expressive from the first tilt of the glass, this is unlike any young La Vigna di Don Peppino I've ever encountered. The 2020 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Prephylloxera emanates with an array of roses and lavender complemented by clove, allspice, incense and a core of bright cherry fruit. Pure elegance, simply stated, it washes across the palate like fine silk, youthfully dense yet energetic as well, with balsam-tinged red fruits and minerals. Spiced blood orange, plum and inner earth tones remain, along with a core of grippy tannins, yet through it all, a tinge of residual acidity maintains a lovely harmony. The 2020 is already so beautiful, yet still built for the cellar. I'd recommend checking in on a bottle upon release and watching the rest evolve over the next decade or more." Vinous 96p
