2019 Passopisciaro Passorosso Etna Rosso

Region: Sicily, Italy

Grape: Nerello Mascalese

Culinary Suggestions: Grilled/roasted white meat, charcuterie or truffle/mushroom dishes

Vineyard Practice: Organic and Biodynamic

About

Deep in the northeastern region of Sicily, on the slopes of Mount Etna, lies Andrea Franchetti's winery - a place where ancient vines meet active volcanoes. With determination, he cleared and restored long-abandoned terraces of indigenous grape Nerello Mascalese, alongside Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, and Cesanese d'Affile, all on thin lavic soil. The result? Wines of remarkable complexity and individual personality, shaped by the significant temperature differences between day and night, the volcanic soils, and the various terroirs that arise from the frequent lava spills. In the face of all this, Franchetti continues to pay homage to the old feudal property lines that are still mapped out on the local land registry to play to the strengths of his chosen terroir on Etna. A true ode to the land and the craft and a constant reminder that even amidst the most unpredictable of environments, true excellence is possible.

Tasting Notes

Poached strawberry, honey, dried herbs and fresh mint. It’s medium-bodied, stony and fleshy, ripe red berries with a little spice, fine talc-like tannin grip, savoury too, with dusty tannin and a dash of aniseed on a subtly perfumed finish of good length. Not especially concentrated, but a lovely example of Etna rosso here.

93+ points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front January 2022

Drink: 2022 - 2030

Roses and cherries galore waft up from the 2019 Passorosso with ease. This is silky-smooth and cool-toned in feel, mixing juicy acidity with a pleasant inner sweetness that creates a seductively vibrant yet fruit-forward expression. The 2019 cleans up beautifully, leaving a coating of round tannins that create a classically dry feel, as hints of spiced citrus and hard red candies slowly fade. The pleasure factor is turned up high here, and the balance is on point. 

92 points - Eric Guido, Vinous Media June 2022

Drink: 2022 - 2027