Description
The Girolamo Russo estate was founded in 2005 by Giuseppe Russo, in memory of his late father. The family are native of Passopisciaro, one of the key villages at the heart of the rebirth of Etna’s most important grape variety, Nerello Mascalese.
The Russos have 26 hectares of land in and around Passopisciaro, with 15 hectares of vineyards surrounded by olive and hazelnut groves. The vineyards are high up, between 650 and 780 metres above sea level, inland from the beautiful town of Taormina. Many of the free-standing bush vines are over 80 years old, surviving in harmony with Etna’s black, mineral-rich volcanic soil.
Giuseppe works the vineyards organically and makes the wines himself. He vinifies each parcel separately, seeking out their individual identities in a series of wines that reflect the diverse character of their terroirs.
An attention to detail that, apart from leading the company to obtain.
Tasting Notes
“Black cherries, plums and Christmas spice are lifted by notes of mint and menthol as the 2017 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo unfolds in the glass. It’s deeply textural yet brooding and dark in nature, with mineral-tinged black fruits enlivened by brisk acidity. This gains in sweetness with time, growing riper but also broader in feel. Grippy tannins take control through the finale, drying out the 2017’s lingering notes of blackberries, licorice and tobacco. There’s just a bit of heat here as well, but it doesn’t get in the way as this large-scale Etna Rosso finishes with remarkable length.”[90/100 – Eric Guido – April 2021 – vinous.com]
