Calabretta, Nerello Mascalese & Cappuccio "Cala Cala Rosso" Sicily, Italy NV

95% Nerello Mascalese & 5% Nerello Cappuccio

Cala Cala means "Gulp, Gulp" — meaning you should gulp this one down because it's so tasty! There is an old Nebbiolo-like profile to the wine. Its aromas are steeped in dried cherries, tar, licorice, and hints of ashy/volcanic soil tones. Given the high elevation and big diurnal temperature shifts, Calabretta's wines retains a freshness and delineation that recalls a mature Barolo, northern Rhone or even a sturdier, earthier red Burgundy.

Massimiliano Calabretta's wines hail from the DOC of Etna Rosso in northeastern Sicily. His vineyards are planted between 300 and 900 meters on the slopes of Mount Etna, an active volcano that looms in the distance for much of eastern Sicily. The soils are a combination of black volcanic ash and sand which are fine and almost silty, with lots of lava rocks and good drainage.

Massimiliano is distinct among Etna producers in that he releases his wines only after long aging in botte grande and in bottle... his releases are often six to eight years behind other Etna producers'.