Girolamo Russo Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana 2018

95 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "Here is another new wine from Giuseppe Russo of Girolamo Russo, and it's a truly exceptional bottle with a precious 1,400 examples made. The 2018 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana draws its fruit from Randazzo, from a 1.7-hectare site at 700 meters in elevation with 60-year-old vines, and it reveals an especially delicate and streamlined presentation that is in line with the vintage. All the wines in this portfolio are excellent, but this new entry hits high marks for grace and purity. Calderara Sottana is a standout and an exciting Etna discovery. Wild berry and cassis transition to ashy notes, white pepper and plenty of mountain flower and pressed violets. Congratulations, Beppe. (Oct 2021)"

94 points Eric Guido (Vinous): "Savory cherry sauce, crushed raspberry, balsamic spice and dusty stone create a dark, rich and seductive bouquet on the 2018 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana. This is deeply textural, weighty and densely packed with masses of ripe red and black berries, yet it’s lifted up by a mix of cooling mineral and herbal tones. Its structure comes forward through the finale and is only revealed as a coating of rich primary fruit slowly melts away, leaving fine tannin to mingle with nuances of licorice and an attractive hint of tangerine. This is a glorious expression of Calderara Sottana, especially for the vintage, and sure to excel through medium-term cellaring. Drink: 2022-2028. (Jun 2021)"

94 points James Suckling: "Very aromatic red-fruit character on the nose, with hints of fresh spice, crushed stones and a tinge of fresh mushroom. Medium-to full-bodied with fine, firm tannins and a fresh, spicy red-fruit and mineral finish. Delicious flavors now, but needs time for the structural framework to pull together. Drink after 2022. (12/22/20)"