| Producer | Girolamo Russo |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Varietal | Red Blend |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Sku | 16006 |
| Size | 750ml |
All estate bottled fruit from a combination of Giuseppe’s different sites, roughly 90% Nerello Mascalese with 10% Nerello Cappuccio, all planted using massal selection. Vines range from 20 to 100 years of age, rooted in weathered volcanic lava flows on the north side of Mount Etna, head-trained or modified head-trained. Elevation is between 650 and 800 meters (2150-2600 feet) above sea level, very high for red wines.Yields are very low, less than two tons per acre; the grapes are picked, by hand in late October, brought to the cellar in Passopisciaro, mostly de-stemmed, crushed, and fermented using indigenous yeasts. The skins are macerated in the wine for a total of about ten days before pressing. Malolactic fermentation takes place spontaneously in the spring, when the weather warms up; the wine ages in 2,600 liter barrels and concrete tanks for about a year before bottling.
Broad red color, looks rather like Grenache. Aroma and flavor of red fruits (red plum, sour cherry, et cetera), almond, herbal hints including mint, slightly floral. Broad and generous on the palate, with some fine tannins to balance the abundant red fruits. This will age for at least 5-10 years in the cellar, but it’s so good on release that I doubt I’ll be aging it. About forty thousand bottles produced in a normal vintage.
Giuseppe Russo is a quiet thoughtful man, formerly a pianist. Since 2005 he has been organically farming his family's old vineyards, many of the vines around 100 years of age, and he is restoring the old cellar under his house. He has 15 hectares of vines on the North side of Etna around the town of Passopisciaro. For Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo lovers, Nerello Mascalese is an exciting find — it can produce reds with impressive delicacy as well as those with great structure. Russo’s a’Rina is a blend of grapes from younger vines. Vineyards are planted on ancient lava flows, all varying in age and mineral content This red is juicy, complex, and delicious. Fabulous with pasta dishes, seafood, and grilled light meats.
Plenty of citrus, orange peel, honey and beeswax with some pumice and volcanic soil character. Medium body, with firm and integrated tannins that are energetic and integrated. Very pretty now but even better in three or four years. Drink or hold.
This is the entry-level red from Girolamo Russo. Made with Nerello Mascalese and about 10% Nerello Cappuccio blended from various vineyard sites, the 2021 Etna Rosso 'a Rina offers terrific value with wild berry, blue flower and crushed stone over an elegant mouthfeel. The emphasis is on freshness and balance.
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