Calcaneus Nireddu Etna Rosso 2021
We have 8 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
The Nireddu Etna Rosso 2021 comes from multiple vineyard sites on the northern slope of Mount Etna, at an altitude of around 650 meters above sea level. The vineyards, composed of volcanic soils with sand and pebbles, are rich in minerals and feature old vines ranging from 70 to 90 years old. The specific location of these vineyards provides unique growing conditions that contribute to the character of the wine.
The Wine
This 100% Nerello Mascalese (or close to it) displays a ruby red color. The nose offers an elegant and complex array of fresh fruit aromas. The palate is fresh and complex, with a good consistency, a noticeable tannic structure, and a lingering, savory finish showing volcanic undertones. The wine is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and sees a brief 2-month aging in oak barrels before being moved back to steel for further aging. This is a wine that is intended to be both approachable and expressive, offering a clear window into the unique qualities of Etna.
The People
The Calcagno brothers, Franco and Gianni, are a sixth-generation Sicilian family, representing a crucial piece of Etna's fine wine development. They began bottling their own wine in 2006, after a long tradition of selling grapes in bulk. They maintain a 100% organic approach to viticulture and work with old, pre-phylloxera vines. Winemaker Alessandro Bianco joined the family after gaining experience at Passopisciaro, and is now taking the wines to new heights. This small estate seeks to honor tradition while also experimenting and evolving.
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The Mount Etna wine region, dramatically draped across three sides of the active Etna volcano in Sicily, is distinguished by its striking variation in elevation and the rich mosaic of volcanic soils. These unique conditions foster the cultivation of vines at altitudes ranging from a few hundred meters above sea level to over 1,000 meters, creating microclimates that yield wines of profound complexity and minerality. The region's wines, most notably those made from the indigenous Nerello Mascalese and Carricante grape varieties, are celebrated for their ability to capture the essence of Etna's fiery terroir in each bottle.
Mount Etna
Named for its pale color and hometown of Mascali, Nerello Mascalese is a rising star in the wine world. Indigenous to Mount Etna, it was overlooked for decades until recently the world has taken notice of the elegant yet powerfully minerally wines produced on the volcanic slopes. Think halfway between Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo.
