Russo Feudo di Mezzo Etna Rosso

Giuseppe Russo is a quiet thoughtful man, formerly a pianist. In 2005  he founded his estate, named Girolamo as a tribute to his father, and has since been making organic wines in his family’s old vineyards. The vines, many of which aged 100 years, are planted at high altitude on ancient lava flows. This is the magic terroir that provides the trademark minerality and salinity of Russo’s wines.  Taste them and you will easily understand why Giuseppe has gained a cult following, alongside other iconic Etna producers such as  Frank Cornelissen or Pietra Dolce.

For those new to the variety, Nerello Mascalese is an exciting find. It can produce reds with impressive elegance, Sangiovese-like structure and huge ageing potential. Russo’s Feudo di Mezzo, a single vineyard expression of the grape, is the perfect example.

Fermented with natural yeasts only and aged for 16 months in old oak barrels, this wine is Russo’s most complex red wine; deep, elegant and with amazing ageing potential. Intense, enveloping nose with notes of Maraschino cherries, cranberry and wild herbs, underpinned by Etna’s trademark minerality. Soft palate, with fine-grated tannins and lovely mineral backbone. Mouth-filling yet lean, with lingering flavours of cherry and wild strawberry. A true masterpiece. Bravo, Giuseppe!
Only 1000 bottles of this wine are made each year so grab yours before it’s too late.