Contrada Calderara Sottana, Etna Rosso DOC — 2022
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Introduction
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WINERY Winemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800s in Viagrande. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988.
WINE 100% Nerello Mascalese, 50 year-old vines from the Contranda Calderara Sottana vineyard located in the village of Randazzo on the northern slope of Mount Etna.
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Vineyard Profile
- Appellation: Etna D.O.C. Rosso
- Location: Sicily
- Cultivation: Adoption of organic practices
- Vine Age: 50 years old vines
- Soil: Volcanic sands, rich in minerals, with good organic matter content
- Exposure: Northern
- Density: 8,000 vinestocks per hectare (3,239 vines per acre)
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Vintage Report
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2022 was the warmest year in the last 180 years, starting with regular and abundant winter rainfall. The vineyards’ vegetative growth was slightly early but healthy, leading to ideal flowering and fruit setting. Between May and June, rapid vegetation growth in Benanti’s five contradas required significant pruning. Despite high temperatures and a lack of rain, the grapes showed no water stress until late August rainfalls. The grapes ripened in excellent health with minimal interventions. The complete ripening process saw notable sugar increases and good acidity levels, perfect for producing balanced wines. Harvests at Calderara Sottana started on October 3rd, and concluded with Nerello Mascalese at Contrada Cavaliere on October 17th.
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Vinification
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Grapes are hand-picked during the 1st and 2nd decade of October, de-stemmed and pressed. Fermentation occurs at a controlled temperature (26°C/78.8°F) in stainless steel vats, with a 21 days long maceration, using a specific indigenous yeast selected in the vineyard by Benanti. The maturation then continues in used tonneaux of French oak for about 12 months and then in stainless steel tanks.
- Aging: French oak for 12 months and then in stainless steel tanks. In the bottle for approximately 10 months
- Bottle Aging: In the bottle for approximately 10 months
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: Nerello Mascalese
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- TA: 5.55 g/L
- p H: 3.61
- RS: .60 g/L
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Tasting Notes
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Bright ruby red color with spicy aromatics and scents of ripe red fruit. Full-bodied, balanced tannins with structure to age gracefully over the next 10 to 13 years.
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Images
Reviews
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Contrada Calderara Sottana, Etna Rosso DOC — 2022 – James Suckling – 94 Points
"A tense, lively Etna that’s not without complexity, the low-key nose showing subtle strawberries, dried cherries, black pepper and redcurrants mixed with smoky tones. Medium- to full-bodied, it has an elegant palate, velvety tannins, crisp acidity and a good, long finish with restrained minerals."
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Contrada Calderara Sottana, Etna Rosso DOC — 2022 – Wine Spectator – 93 Points
"A silky red, with a lovely, expressive underpinning of tar, licorice and tobacco notes accenting flavors of wild cherry, blood orange peel and dried thyme, all aligned with taut, fine-grained tannins through the long, well-spiced finish."
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Contrada Calderara Sottana, Etna Rosso DOC — 2022 – Wine Spectator – 91 Points
"A refined red, with a taut, well-knit frame of sandy tannins and orange peel acidity structuring flavors of macerated cherry, oolong tea leaf and minerally hints of smoke and stone that drive the lingering finish."
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Contrada Calderara Sottana, Etna Rosso DOC — 2022 – Vinous – 94 Points
"In Calderara Sottana fashion, the 2022 Etna Rosso Contrada Calderara Sottana smolders up from the glass with a hauntingly dark and mineral-inflected blend of crushed ashen stones, grilled herbs and dusty black currants. It’s soft and enveloping yet possesses a powerful core of dark red fruits complicated by exotic spice. Firm tannins mount toward the close. While youthfully structured and intense, the 2022 maintains a marvelous freshness as a bump of brisk acidity adds lift and hints of mint and licorice fade. This really packs a punch, but it also has the balance for extended cellaring."