The 2023 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana is dreamy, with a perfumed bouquet of rose, violet, smoke and sour citrus. This is wildly energetic and spry, with crisp red berry fruits and crunchy mineral tones that create an amazing tactile feel as sweet spice tones resonate throughout. The 2023 closes down hard through the finish, as expected in its youthful state. A saturation of crushed wild blueberry and lavender fades slowly.
96+ points, Eric Guido, Vinous (May 2025)
A medium red color, the 2023 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana boasts layered notes of wild cherries, Asian spices, incense, fresh sage, and vanilla. Medium-bodied, it fills the palate with broader ripe tannin, with wonderful definition and more saturating length, as well as a long-lasting finish. It requires time and should only improve. Drink 2026-2046.
96 points, Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck (Oct 2025)
With intensity and depth, Calderara Sottana 2023 is stunning. From a rocky site, it combines lifted fragrances and purity of black cherry and raspberry fruits with salinity and poise for a memorable north-slope red.
95 points, James Button, Decanter (Apr 2025)
This has an open-knit style, showing ripe red-cherry jelly and smoky complexity, crisp acidity and firm, grainy tannins. Medium- to full-bodied with an austere finish. It deserves time for softening and better integration. Try from 2027.
94 points, James Suckling (May 2025)