Profile

Structure

Bodymedium
Tanninmedium
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 5 to 18 years from vintage.

vintage5 yrs18 yrs20 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.

In the glass

Medium-bodiedMedium tanninHigh acidityDryLong, Iron-Tinged, Refreshing finish

Aroma: wild cherry, rose hip, volcanic mineral, iron

Palate: sour cherry, blood orange, saline mineral, fine tannins

San Lorenzo is the most immediately accessible of the Russo single-contrada range: fragrant, iron-streaked, with vibrant sour cherry and a saline volcanic freshness that makes it the most drinkable Russo Etna Rosso in its youth.

What it pairs with

With cheese

Piacentinu Ennese Our pick Black pepper and saffron run through Piacentinu's yellow paste. Etna Rosso from Nerello Mascalese is fresh and mineral, with red cherry fruit, fine tannin and high acidity, so it meets the spice without being flattened by it.

How to serve Girolamo Russo San Lorenzo

Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Grilled tuna with capers and olives, Pasta alla norma, Sicilian charcuterie platter. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Giuseppe Russo took over his father Girolamo's old Nerello vines in 2005 and launched single-contrada bottlings beginning with the 2007 vintage. San Lorenzo, named for the contrada at approximately 650 metres, is the most approachable of the range, bottled without fining or filtration.

  1. 2007First San Lorenzo vintage alongside the inaugural Russo contrada series

Facts

Producer
Girolamo Russo · visiting guide
Grapes
Nerello Mascalese
Classification
Etna Rosso DOC
Oak
18 months in large Slavonian oak botti (20-30 hl)
ABV
13.0%
Price
€45-70 at retail
Drinking window
5-18 from vintage
First vintage
2007
Organic
ORGANIC CERTIFIED

Frequently asked about Girolamo Russo San Lorenzo

What does Girolamo Russo San Lorenzo taste like?

On the nose, wild cherry, rose hip, volcanic mineral, iron. On the palate, sour cherry, blood orange, saline mineral, fine tannins. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long, iron-tinged, refreshing finish. San Lorenzo is the most immediately accessible of the Russo single-contrada range: fragrant, iron-streaked, with vibrant sour cherry and a saline volcanic freshness that makes it the most drinkable Russo Etna Rosso in its youth.

When should I drink Girolamo Russo San Lorenzo?

Drink 5-18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Girolamo Russo San Lorenzo?

Grilled tuna with capers and olives is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Pasta alla norma and Sicilian charcuterie platter. The wine's bright acidity and iron notes pair beautifully with meaty tuna.

What grapes are in Girolamo Russo San Lorenzo?

The blend is Nerello Mascalese. The wine is classified as Etna Rosso DOC.

Tags

cellar worthy dry high acid medium body medium tannin mood easygoing mood rustic nerello mascalese occasion dinner party occasion weeknight old vines old world organic pairs with charcuterie pairs with oily fish pairs with pasta red sauce price premium single vineyard still red

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