2021 Girolamo Russo " San Lorenzo Piano delle Colombe" Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy

ABOUT THE WINE

Sourced from a tiny sub-parcel within the San Lorenzo cru at over 750 meters elevation, Piano delle Colombe is a rare bottling that showcases the highest expression of Etna’s northern slopes. The 2021 vintage reflects the cool mountain air and dramatic diurnal shifts of the site, resulting in a wine of lifted aromatics and striking purity. Composed almost entirely of Nerello Mascalese, it is fermented with native yeasts and aged in a mix of neutral tonneaux and botti grande to preserve its finesse and structure.

The nose presents crushed volcanic rock, sour cherry, fennel seed, and dried rose. The palate is sleek, mineral-driven, and energetic, unfolding with layers of tart pomegranate, graphite, and savory herbs. Farming is organic, with deep respect for biodiversity and minimal intervention, allowing the vineyard's voice to dominate. This is a wine best paired with Sicilian lamb dishes, roasted quail, or aged pecorino, and it will reward cellaring for a decade or more.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Girolamo Russo, led by former musicologist Giuseppe Russo, has become one of Etna’s most respected and philosophical producers. Based in the village of Passopisciaro, Russo farms approximately 26 hectares across Etna’s northern slopes, emphasizing old-vine parcels and single-vineyard bottlings. The estate is certified organic and practices minimal intervention both in the vineyard and in the cellar, seeking to express the unique terroir of each contrada.

Russo’s wines are known for their grace, precision, and reflection of altitude, soil variation, and vine age—many exceeding 70 years. San Lorenzo Piano delle Colombe is a pinnacle expression, crafted from a select section of one of Russo’s oldest and most celebrated vineyards. With a deep commitment to tradition, volcanic terroir, and artistic sensitivity, Girolamo Russo continues to push the boundaries of what Etna Rosso can be.