Contrada Calderara Sottana, Etna Rosso DOC — 2021
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Introduction
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THE 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.
THE 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: Sustainable
- Vine Age: 20 to 60 years old vines
- Soil: Volcanic sands, rich in minerals, with good organic matter content
- Density: 8,000 vinestocks per hectare (3,239 vines per acre)
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Vintage Report
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In spring, the rain increased powdery mildew. However, our traditional vineyard cultivation methods kept the bunches intact. The hot and dry summer led to water stress, resulting in the development of sugars and extractive substances in our native vines. The autumn rain did not damage the bunches or their ripening. The precise green pruning and leaf removal kept the bunches healthy without the need for additional treatments. Our 2021 harvest started in September and ended in mid-October. The volcanic activity enriched the soil in Contrada Rinazzo.
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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-day 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: 5.2 g/L
- p H: 3.65
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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 — 2021 – Decanter – 91 Points
“This is earthy and juicy with plenty of wood and chocolate. Red and black fruits mingle with undergrowth for a very savoury expression coupled with lovely freshness and balance, and a mineral edge on the finish.”
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Contrada Calderara Sottana — 2021 – James Suckling – 95 Points
“Aromas of cherries, oranges and flowers with some underlying smoke. Medium to full body with plush, open and velvety tannins that caress the palate. It’s juicy and flavorful.”