In the glass
Aroma: red cherry, dried rose, forest floor, volcanic mineral
Palate: tart cherry, mulberry, tobacco, saline mineral
Calderara Sottana is a benchmark for north-slope Etna Rosso: Burgundian elegance with volcanic minerality, tart red-fruit purity and the structural firmness that demands 8-plus years.
What it pairs with
-
Grilled lamb chops with herbs
The wine's firm tannins and iron notes frame the lamb's gamey richness. -
Risotto with black truffle shavings
Volcanic earthiness and the wine's mineral core mirror the truffle's umami. -
Aged Pecorino Siciliano
Salty, crystalline sheep's-milk cheese sharpens the wine's red-cherry lift.
History
Marc de Grazia established Tenuta delle Terre Nere on Etna's north slope in 2002 and launched single-contrada bottlings from the 2003 vintage, making this one of the earliest single-contrada Etna Rosso cuvees in the modern era. Calderara Sottana, from vines planted between 1920 and 1945, became the estate's signature expression.
- 2003 — First Calderara Sottana vintage; established contrada bottling as the future of Etna DOC
Facts
- Producer
- Tenuta delle Terre Nere
- Grapes
- Nerello Mascalese (95%), Nerello Cappuccio (5%)
- Classification
- Etna Rosso DOC
- Oak
- 18 months in large Slavonian oak botti (30 hl)
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- €45-70 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2003