“Passorosso” Etna DOC 2023

Passopisciaro | Sicily
Vini Franchetti s.r.l. | Via Val d'Orcia 15 | IT 53047 Sarteano

19152123 · 0,75 l · 37,33 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

Until 2012, this wine bore the name of the estate itself – passopisciaro. However, when Andrea Franchetti began to vinify his best individual vineyards separately in 2008, he renamed the basic Etna Rosso: Passorosso. A blend from different altitudes and contrade – from Malpasso to Guardiola and Santo Spirito –which shows the full range of what Nerello Mascalese can achieve on Mount Etna. The higher vineyards lie on coarse-grained lava gravel, the lower ones on finer, oxidised lava powder: each layer contributes to the complexity of this wine. 80 to 110-year-old vines, fermented in steel tanks, matured for 18 months in large neutral wooden barrels and concrete tanks, bottled unfiltered.

Passorosso epitomises the volcano in its purest form: Medium ruby red in colour, bright and clear. The nose reveals crisp red berries – strawberry, raspberry, redcurrant –herbs, smoke and a subtle minerality of stone and ash. The elegance on the palate is reminiscent of Burgundian Pinot Noir: bright fruit, firm structure, fine-grained tannins and a lively acidity that carries the wine. Balsamic notes mingle with salty minerality, the final remains fresh and juicy. With age, Passorosso loses colour and gains depth – camphor, sandalwood and exotic spices emerge. A wine that distils Etna's unique terroir: bright, pure, mineral, herbaceous. Between Barolo and Burgundy – and yet unmistakably Sicilian. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dense, fresh and juicy, the Passorosso offers a grippy mouthful of cherries and blood oranges with an iron note. Not overly complex – but try to put the glass down!" Decanter

"The Passorosso 2023 is pretty and perfumed with dusty rose and wild strawberry tones balanced by a hint of ash stones. The style is light and fresh with tart raspberry and tantalising acidity that adds a subtle inner sweetness towards the end. It finishes with a pleasant chew and a hint of red candy that lingers." Vinous

"This medium-bodied red is light on its feet and mouthwatering, with good focus to its flavors of raspberry coulis, pomegranate puree, chopped rosemary, cocoa powder and leather. Lightly chalky tannins define the spiced finish." Wine Spectator

"Fruity and leathery with an aromatic depth reminiscent of ripe blackberries and strawberries. It has a medium body and a firm, crisp acidity that is almost acidic. Despite its youthful appearance, the tannins are soft and slightly chalky on the finish." James Suckling