Tenuta delle Terre Nere Calderara Sottana Etna Rosso DOC 2023

Calderara Sottana is one of the single-contrada wines from Tenuta delle Terre Nere on Mount Etna in Sicily, an estate present in seven of the volcano's contrade, the Sicilian equivalent of the French cru. Made from the native Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, it comes from a north-facing site where the soils are a complex mix of volcanic lava, ash and mineral veins that drain freely and give the wine its smoky, saline signature. High-altitude planting and a wide day to night temperature range slow ripening, holding acidity and building fragrance. The wine ages eighteen months in barrel with a further month in bottle, the wood rounding the grape's firm, fine tannins through slow oxygen exchange while the fruit stays fresh. The colour is translucent ruby. The nose is perfumed, with red cherry, redcurrant, rose and dried herbs over woodsmoke and wet stone. The palate is medium-bodied and taut, with sandy tannins, bright acidity and a long mineral finish. Serve at 16 degrees in a wide glass. It suits game birds, mushrooms and roast poultry.