The Story
The deepest and darkest of Russo's single-contrada bottlings. Calderara Sottana sits near Randazzo at around 700 meters on Etna's north slope, planted on the black sciara sand of old lava flows, with some vines pushing well past a century. Giuseppe Russo took over the family estate when his father Girolamo — a charcoal seller who grew grapes on the side — died in 2005, and he has built Calderara into the structured, savory anchor of his lineup. Nerello Mascalese with a touch of Cappuccio, aged in large barrel without makeup. 2022 was warm but balanced; the old vines kept the freshness intact. This is the Russo to lay down — five to ten years will reward you.
Description
The deepest and darkest of Russo's single-contrada bottlings. Calderara Sottana sits near Randazzo at around 700 meters on Etna's north slope, planted on the black sciara sand of old lava flows, with some vines pushing well past a century. Giuseppe Russo took over the family estate when his father Girolamo — a charcoal seller who grew grapes on the side — died in 2005, and he has built Calderara into the structured, savory anchor of his lineup. Nerello Mascalese with a touch of Cappuccio, aged in large barrel without makeup. 2022 was warm but balanced; the old vines kept the freshness intact. This is the Russo to lay down — five to ten years will reward you.
