Dear *|FNAME|*,

We’re thrilled to bring you the much-anticipated new releases from Terre Nere, a Sicilian superstar on the slopes of Europe’s largest active volcano. We’re focusing on their reds today, which are mainly from the Nerello Mascalese grape. Reminiscent of Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo, they show a lightness of being coupled with a thousand layers of flavour and pristine structure.

The 2021 Etna Rosso is a lively red that dances across the palate and ‘remains a great value for first-class Etna juice’, according to Vinous, at only R395 per bottle. Think strawberries, cherries, tea leaves and fine tannins.

One of the top contrade, or grand crus, is the incredible 2021 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana. Here you’ll find the stoniest volcanic terroir of Terre Nere, and 60 to 100-year-old vines grown at around 600m altitude. The wine is deep and vivid, with smokiness, crushed stone, autumn spices and a long, chalky, salty finish with a gentle tannic grip. ‘Pure magic’ says Vinous. You’ll have to taste it to believe it.

Finally, from two parcels of ungrafted, pre-phylloxera vines that are more than 140 years old, comes the 2021 Terre Nere Etna Rosso Prephylloxera. The wine is fondly named after local farmer Don Peppino, who has worked this parcel within Caldera Sottana his entire life. With next-level detail and almost supernatural finesse, there’s little in the world of wine that compares to this.

Tenuta delle Terre Nere has been key to the ascent of Etna DOC’s wines, which are currently among the most exciting in Europe. Founder Marc de Grazia, a member of the Barolo Boys, released his first vintage in 2002 and now cultivates 29 parcels on Etna’s northern slopes. The Wine Advocate hails his portfolio as ‘the gold standard for Etna wine’.

The circular DOC around the foothills of Mount Etna makes for a multitude of soils and microclimates. The organic practices, volcanic soils and extraordinary elevation yield sharp temperature differences between night and day, resulting in fine, elegant wines akin to Burgundy and Barolo. Don’t even get us started on the Biancos and Rosato!

View the entire range here >

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Tasting notes

Terre Nere Etna Rosso 2021

‘Darkly floral and complex, the 2021 Etna Rosso opens in the glass with an alluring blend of dusty violets and lavender, giving way to sweet smoke and dried blueberries. This is silky-smooth and refined, with polished red fruits offset by sour citrus and a savory herbal flourish toward the close. The 2021 keeps the energy high, finishing crisp and lively with a cranberry crunch and cedary spice. The Rosso from Tenuta delle Terre Nere remains a great value for first-class Etna juice.’ – Eric Guido, Vinous, 92/100

‘A lively red that dances across the palate, with juicy wild cherry and strawberry fruit, light, fine tannins and fragrant accents of tea leaves, violet, graphite and spices. From Italy.’ – Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, 91/100

Terre Nere Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana 2021

‘Another of Terre Nere's 'Grande 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 – as are all of Marco De Grazia's contrada reds – it 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.’ – James Button, Decanter, 96/100

‘This is more vibrant with red berries, blood oranges, light spices and hints of terra-cotta. Medium-bodied, juicy and fruit-forward with tangy acidity and dusty tannins. Hints of bitter orange at the end. Long and chalky yet very attractive and enjoyable now.’ – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, 95/100

Terre Nere Etna Rosso Prephylloxera Don Peppino 2021

‘This wine has impressive depth and complexity with an array of red and dark berry flavours mixed with dark chocolate, ground spice and burnt orange peel. All these flavours lie on a bed of smoked, ashy, dark stone and wet asphalt undertones. Full and deep with very fine, silky tannins. So much tension and power here. It lasts for minutes and ends with a seamless, structured finish. From old vines from before the phylloxera plague. Try it now, but it will age beautifully.’ – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, 98/100

‘From two parcels of pre-phylloxera vines (over 140 years old) within the estate's rocky four-hectare vineyard in Calderara Sottana, this wine was first bottled in the 2006 vintage after Marco De Grazia decided to vinify these ancient, ungrafted vines separately. Dusty and spicy with just a hint of orange peel overlaying some deep, dark berry scents, in the mouth it has a beautiful expression of sweet, concentrated balsam-laced red and black fruits showing levity and balance on a soft palate. There's floral depth to find here, given focus by the bright acidity, while the fine tannins cradle the succulent, joyous fruit. Persistent and vibrant.’ – James Button, Decanter, 97/100

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