DELIZIOSO - 20th Anniversary Bottle from Mt Etna’s Patriarch and Volcanic Slopes Under $49

2022 Debut and the Rare 20th Anniversary Single Vineyard Bottling from a Patriarch of Sicilian Winemaking Returns. 500,000 Years of Volcanic Eruptions, 100+ Year Old Vines, and Ancient Varietals Deliver the Contrada or Grand Cru Vineyards of Sicily!

“The Etna boasts two reference point producers and a number of emerging growers. Along with Andrea Franchetti, proprietor Marco de Grazia (Tenuta delle Terre Nerre) continues to make compelling wines that set the standard for the Etna.”  - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

“Cool San Lorenzo is at the northwestern edge of the Etna DOC at around 800 metres...Due to its uniqueness, Terre Nere have dubbed their San Lorenzo bottling (from 70- to 100-year-old vines) as ‘Grande Terroir Ellittico’ and consider it one of their grand crus." - Decanter

It is difficult not to be attracted to Italy’s wealth of antique varietals that are capable of transporting enthusiasts to Italy with one stunning sip that begins under $45 for a taste of the celebrated Contrada or a Grand Cru like vineyards. It is not surprising that the ancient Greeks called Italy Oenotria, “land of vines.” 

One such vine or grape that would have appealed to them is certainly Sicily’s Nerello Mascalese from the high altitudes and volcanic slopes of Mount Etna. If you follow Italian wines, you probably have heard comparisons of this grape to red Burgundy and a young Barolo. There is some truth to this “Burgundy of the Mediterranean” statement, as many of the expressions are high-toned with inviting red fruit, mineral and herbaceous undertones with firm tannins and bracing acidity.  For IWM, that begins with one of the region’s most respected winemakers, Tenuta delle Terre Nere. This is one of “Etna’s reference points,” for Sicily’s noble Nerello Mascalese. The pioneering estate led by Marc de Grazia and winemaker Calogero Statell now have a better understanding of the rugged terrain with the Island’s old gnarly vines from these obscene elevations, impenetrable rock, and volcanic soils. 

Well, the IWM Team just received access to all the new releases from 202w, including the return of the rare and singular, 2022 Tenuta delle Terre Nere Anniversario – Calderara Sottano (20th Anniversary). It is 100% Nerello Mascalese from a small 3ha subplot of the prized Calderara Sottano contrada or single vineyard. This unique, and singular cru bottling celebrates the historic 20th Anniversary of the first harvest at Terre Nere. Sure, there is IWM’s best-selling Santo Spirito bottling, one of the celebrated Premier Cru wines of this estate, then there is, what we believe to represent the finest expressions of Nerello Mascalese, the Calderara Sottana, San Lorenzo, and the Prephylloxera Vigneto Don Peppino. Well, this special Terre Nere Anniversario bottling is a tremendous and fun introduction to the Grand Cru-like Calderara Sottana vineyard.

And where the signature Calderara Sottana can command $60-80 a bottle, and often requires more time, this an approachable expression at just $48 that celebrates 20 years of Terre Nere and their Grand Cru vineyard! Just 3,000 cases were produced - CARPE DIEM! We had the wine over a few hours – one minute it showcases its Barolo side and then another moment it showcases a Burgundian side - in the end its classic Sicily. Delizioso – there simply is not a better word to sum up this wine.  It is a MUST-BUY crowd-pleaser for me. Unfortunately, allocations are limited and the wines are now scoffed up by many of the world's top restaurants. Many of the wines will sell out before it arrives!

FINAL ALLOCATION: The Prized Grand Cru Like Vineyards of Terre Nere

Note: wines are pre-arrival

As mentioned we are including rare bottlings from the Contrada or Grand Cru Vineyards of Sicily and Terre Nere. Each high-altitude vineyard of old vines expresses their own unique character. For the collector, this includes the elusive Terre Nere Prephylloxera Vigneto Don Peppino produced from 100% old vine Nerello Mascalese from the crus of Calderara and Santo Spirito that date back to 1870. Just 250 cases are produced with little arriving in the US. However, for IWM, if you really want to fall in love with Sicily’s indigenous and noble Nerello Mascalese, we recommend the industry and staff favorites of Terre Nere Etna Rosso Santo Spirito and Feudo di Mezzo. The latter is a wine of more approachability produced from Terre Nere’s vineyards at 650 meters altitude and will easily satisfy those that appreciate the structure of premier cru Burgundy with Italy’s earthy and red fruit driven profiles. Grab these today, as these wines are extremely limited and allocated!

ADDITIONAL NOTES AND REVIEWS:

“Marco de Grazia-s influence on the wines of Etna looms as large as the massive volcano that dominates the landscape in this very special corner of Sicily. This bi-cultural Italian and American figure (with extensive influence in the wine world as an importer, producer and great connoisseur of Barolo and Barbaresco) has pretty much moved permanently to live on Etna. His daughter is enrolled in the local school and his winery is a happy meeting ground for many younger Etna winemakers who seek Marco-s advice and counsel. I have often observed how the newest generations of winemakers - the so-called -Etna Boys- refer to Marco in paternal tones.” –Monica Larner, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

2022 TERRE NERE ETNA ROSSO ANNIVERSARIO - CALDERARA COTTANO (20th Anni)

Christopher Deas, Italian Wine Merchants: “Delizioso – there simply is not a better word to sum up this wine. What you should know is that this is not the village Etna Rosso, it is 100% Nerello Mascalese from a small 3ha subplot of the Calderara Sottano contrada or premier cru like single vineyard.  This special anniversary bottling celebrates Terre Nere’s first harvest and is absolutely unique and singular. From Terre Nere’s top vineyard, the wine screams Italy from the glass with aromatics of red fruit, minerality and eucalyptus. On the palate it is a juicy, succulent, generous mouthful dripping with candied red fruit, wild berries galore, ripe plum, strawberries, cranberry, red licorice, black cherry rind, citrus, a touch of cinnamon spice, a spine of minerality, closing with a dry finish. It is here that with you really experience the influence of the volcanic soil with additional notes of salinity, smoke and tar that marry with herbaceous nuances for a long finish. This is Nerello Mascalese that will transport you to Southern Italy begging for pizza with fatty pork and fennel sausage. It is an explosive wine with a little more generosity and approachability. You might even say lavish for Terre Nere – in fact, the juicy texture alone is worth the price of admission on this overachieving cru bottling. Serve at cellar temperature or slightly chilled. This is a huge crowd-pleaser that truly celebrates one of Italy’s great wine estates! We appreciate the approachability and extra layer of fruit 2022 has to offer.”

Kerin O'keefe: "Made with extremely old, ungrafted vines, the radiant 2022 Le Vigne di Calderara Sottana is a captivating wine, starting with its compelling aromas of Mediterranean scrub, juniper, dark, exotic spice, eucalyptus and lavendar. Full-bodied and boasting a weightless elegance, the palate delivers ripe raspberry, cassis, crushed mint and French oak-driven sensations of cocoa, coconut and vanilla alongside velvety tannins. Bright acidity and mineral notes give it great energy and tension..." 

Marco de Grazia, Tenuta delle Terre Nere: "To honor the collective effort of the entire Tenuta delle Terre Nere team, I found it appropriate to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our first release with a unique cuvée. This cuvée should represent our appellation and our estate, and to speak somewhat of our beginnings. Therefore, first and foremost it was to be an Etna Rosso, for this is our foremost appellation. Secondly, as our estate, winery and surrounding vineyards are within the Contrada of Calderara Sottana, which is also where we chose to have our largest extensions, the wine would be crafted from grapes from Calderara Sottana. However, it was not to be confused with our Calderara Sottana bottling, which comes from the finest fruit of exclusively old vines chosen from all our Calderara holdings.Thus, I chose to make a cuvée from only one exceptionally gifted vineyard in Calderara, named Bellacolonna. Chosen not only for its superlative quality, but also because it was here that, after sadly uprooting parcels of half abandoned and decrepit old vines, we planted our first vineyards in 2006 and 2007. It is from the fruit of these vines that we crafted our lovely cuvée. It has had the privilege of coming from an exceptionally fine vineyard coupled to the good fortune of being born in an outstanding vintage. I would say it truly has charme; more stylish than our Etna Rosso with a depth and character reminiscent of our Calderara Sottana (excepting, perhaps, the extra layers that old vines deliver). It was born elegant and will become more subtly so as it ages; possessing the weightless poise of youth and the promise of a greater finesse to come. It is, indeed, a wine I'm very proud to have crafted, one that yearns to encompass all that is Tenuta delle Terre Nere."

2022 TERRE NERE ETNA ROSSO SAN LORENZO

The Etna Rosso San Lorenzo is from 4 hectares of vineyards in the same named district in the town of Randazzo. The vines are more than 70 years old and the altitude is 750 meters above sea level, the soil is almost pure volcanic sand. The terroir in contrada San Lorenzo is originated by lava flows and volcanoclastic deposits related to the explosive activity of the the Ellittico eruptive center, which dates back from 60,000 to 15,000 years ago.

Eric Guido, Vinous: “Remarkably pretty, the 2022 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo wafts up with an array of dried flowers, cloves and lavender. Lifted and finessed, this opens with a hint of candied orange that enlivens its core of tart wild berries. Brisk acidity keeps the experience fresh throughout. Staining the palate in concentration, the San Lorenzo tapers off gently tannic and crunchy in feel, leaving gorgeous floral perfumes to linger on. This is the understated darling of the Terre Nere portfolio, and I expect that cellaring will bring even more complexity.”

Kerin O’Keefe: “Spicy and structured, the Tenuta delle Terre Nere 2022 San Lorenzo is a stunning wine, starting with its enticing aromas of Mediterranean scrub, lavender, eucalyptus, wild berry and spice. Elegant and structured, the linear palate delivers ripe raspberry, juniper berry, liquor-soaked cherries, star anise and crushed mint alongside close-grained tannins. Hailing from one of the coolest microclimates on the volcano, it has vibrancy and tension while a salty mineral note lingers on the finish. What a beautiful wine. Drink 2026–2034.”

2022 TERRE NERE ETNA ROSSO CALDERARA SOTTANA

The Calderara Cru is composed of two vineyards, totaling roughly 15ha, at an altitude of 650-700m. A small portion of Calderara is pre-phylloxera, the rest is 40-50 years old. The soil is extremely rocky volcanic ash overrun by black pumice and solid volcanic rock. Alcoholic fermentation and maceration lasts 10 to 15 days; malolactic fermentation and maturation are carried out in oak. After 18 months the wine is bottled without filtering.

Marc de Grazia, Tenuta delle Terre Nere: "The terroir of the Contrada Calderara was originated from lava flows and volcano-clastic deposits related to the effusive and explosive activity of the Elliptic volcano, approximately between 60,000 and 15,000 years ago. Although very young in geological terms, the Elliptic soil is the oldest surface layer where it is possible to plant in the appellation. The reason is simple: millennia of lava flows have buried the oldest soils, leaving, in fact, only small and rare portions of the soil of the Elliptic. On the north side of Etna there are five or six Contradas that have “elliptical terroir”. Three of them, however, are spurious, as the igneous nature of the Elliptic is mixed with alluvial soils of a sedimentary nature due to the overflow of the Alcantara river. On the north side of Etna only three Contradas are “pure” elliptical terroir: Bocca d’Orzo, Calderara and San Lorenzo.The altitude varies from 600 to 700 meters. The harvest takes place in the second ten days of October. Locally Calderara and its wines enjoy an extraordinary reputation. Our Calderara Sottana is the result of very old vineyards, from 60 to 100 years of age. Of all our crus it is perhaps the most complete: just as a wide-angle lens includes the widest panorama, so our Calderara seems to contain and exhibit the widest spectrum of flavors, aromas and nuances. Distinctly autumnal, spicy, it is aromatic and austere at the same time. It gives a wonderful sensation of fullness on the palate, but ineffably light."

James Suckling: “The purity and clarity to this really talks to you, with red cherry, orange peel, citrus blossom and basalt. Hints of smoke and tar, too. The transparency is really something here. From eight vineyards with vines of 60 or more years old, the best vines being more that 100 years old.”

Eric Guido, Vinous: “The 2022 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana is intense and spicy in the glass. Crushed ashen stones and grilled herbs give way to dried black cherries and spiced orange peels. Luxuriously smooth up front, this finds a lovely lift through a core of tantalizing acidity as saline minerals and the onset of grippy tannins firm up its ripe wild berry fruits. This tapers off with tremendous length and concentration, leaving a youthfully structured feel and a pleasantly tart sensation that lingers on and on. The 2022 mixes generosity with power in a beautifully balanced package that will promote over a decade of cellaring.”

2020 TERRE NERE ETNA ROSSO CALDERARA SOTTANA

Monica Larner, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: “The Tenuta delle Terre Nere 2020 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana has a savory, almost autumnal personality with tobacco, wet moss, spice and dark fruit. It stands apart from the other wines in the portfolio thanks to those darker fruit qualities. Marc De Grazia uses the unusual word "feline" to describe a mouthfeel that is long and sleek. I notice the dry, silky nature of the elegant tannins.”

2022 TERRE NERE ETNA PREPHYLLOXERA VIGNA DI DON PEPPINO

In front of the cellar at Terre Nere within the Calderara Sottana vineyards are two parcels that have survived phylloxera. They are over 130 years old and are planted in their original rootstock. In 2006, Marco decided to vinify these parcels separately. Yields are a ridiculously low 4-5 tons per hectare, with a total production of just 500 six-packs. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation and aging in French oak barriques and tonneaux. The wine is bottled after 18 months of oak aging.

James Suckling: "A fascinating wine showing flower stems, orange peel and bark with some dried mushrooms. The structure and length are exceptional with a medium to full body and tight, focused tannins. Ends with a persistent, polished and refined finish. Caresses in every sense. Better in five years but if you get the chance to drink now, go for it!.." 10/24

Eric Guido, Vinous: "Darkly alluring and youthfully backward, the 2022 Etna Rosso Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino Calderara Sottana smolders up with a blend of sweet spices, dusty violets and ash, giving way to dried black cherries, sage and cloves. This is velvety yet finessed, with a polished wave of ripe red and blue fruit that flows across a juicy stream of acidity. Hints of sour citrus add contrast toward the close. It finishes remarkably fresh and energetic, still tannic but lively, as crunchy tannins resonate and an air of lavender slowly fades. This is an elegant and genuinely harmonious edition of this cuvée. Simply stunning."

This is an email ONLY offer! If you would like to take advantage of this offer that is only available until 11:59pm, November 14th. We are asking that you email orders back to me at 

chris.deas@italianwinemerchants.com, connect with your portfolio manager or mention receipt of this offer if calling the store. All orders are subject to confirmation. IWM is not responsible for typographical errors.

All my best,

Chris