Passopisciaro

Passobianco ist ein eleganter Chardonnay mit schönem, klarem Bouquet aus Aromen von Pfirsichblüte, Mandarine, Ananas, hellen Beeren und mineralischen Noten. Üppiger, großzügiger Geschmack, voller Körper, sinnliche Textur, lang und mit Erinnerungen an Macadamia und Banane der Nachhall. (superiore.de)

"Bright straw-yellow. Rich buttery banana and pineapple but also lemon drop and grapefruit on the refined nose. Then similar flavors to the aromas with a vibrant saline backbone and very good lemony bite. A lovely wine with just a trace of alcoholic heat on the finish." Ian d'Agata

Passorosso ist ein sortenreiner Nerello Mascalese, der in seinem Rubinrot bereits feine granatrote Reflexe zeigt. Stolz und faszinierend präsentiert er einen intensiven Duft und einnehmenden Geschmack mit klarer, gut definierter Frucht und ausgeprägter Mineralik. Anmutig und besonders. (superiore.de)

"Bright red. Perfumed aromas of rose and violet are complicated by cinnamon. Fresh, juicy and precise, with a hint of chlorophyll and menthol. Vibrant and very long with a persistent herbal note on the very floral, perfumed finish." Ian d'Agata

"Fresh and appealing red fruit nose. Juicy and fresh and seems a little lighter than 2014 but this fits the style perfectly. Fine tannic grip on the finish. Delicious, elegant." Jancis Robinson

Passorosso 2014 ist ein sortenreiner Nerello Mascalese, der in seinem Rubinrot bereits feine granatrote Reflexe zeigt. Stolz und faszinierend präsentiert er einen intensiven Duft und einnehmenden Geschmack mit klarer, gut definierter Frucht und ausgeprägte Mineralik. Anmutig und besonders. (superiore.de)

"Bright red-ruby. The captivating nose combines strawberry, raspberry, minerals, violet and flint aromas. Creamy-sweet but amazingly light on its feet, offering palate-staining, perfumed flavors of soft red berries, ripe red cherry, vanilla, aromatic herbs and crushed rock. Rich, ripe and suave, but displays a penetrating, saline and energetic quality that gives this beauty a three-dimensional mouthfeel and a light-on-its-feet quality. Finishes with great length and wonderfully polished tannins. Absolute knockout wine: from a memorable vintage on Etna, this is most likely the best Passorosso ever (in earlier vintages, it used to be called simply Passopisciaro)." Ian d'Agata

"Mouthwatering and medium-bodied, with expressive plum, pomegranate, spice box and dried marjoram flavors. There's grip here, but the tannins are plush and well-knit. A subtle streak of smoke lingers on the finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2014 Etna Rosso Passorosso (100% Nerello Mascalese) stands out for the brightness and gorgeous intensity of its ruby color and healthy appearance. The wine is integrated but also mellow from an aromatic point of view with subdued tones of wild cherry and dried currant. With time in the glass, that intensity grows at a quick pace. Ultimately, this wine provides a very integrated and balanced taste of the mighty Sicilian volcano. For the first time, this wine has moved from the Terre Siciliane IGT appellation to become an Etna Rosso DOC." Robert Parker

"Helles Kirschrot. Präsentes und gleichzeitig sublimes Bouquet mit kristallklarer rotbeeriger Frucht, frischer Minze und einem Hauch Tabak. Am Gaumen dicht gewoben und energiegeladen, dabei sehr ausgewogen und komplex. Die vergleichsweise niedrigere Höhe auf 550 m ü. d. M. macht ihn etwas zugänglicher, weicher und etwas alkoholreicher. Die kräftige Tanninstruktur gibt ihm festen Halt im langen Abgang." Weinwisser

"Mittleres, junges Rot; pfeffrig-rotbeerige Noten; saftig, ausgeprägte Frucht, tolle Säure, feines Tannin, schöner, eleganter Wein, sehr lang." Merum (JLF)

"Open-knit and woodsy up front, with approachable black cherry, licorice string, smoke and sandalwood flavors, featuring supple tannins that firm up on the solid finish. Should develop with decanting or short-term cellaring." Wine Spectator

"Juicy red berry, brimstone, leather, licorice, mint and thyme are just some of the aromas and flavors of this powerfully structured wine. Despite the muscular build, it's also loaded with finesse, boasting firm but noble tannins that accompany the layers of savory flavors." Wine Enthusiast

"The "C" in the 2012 Contrada C stands for Chiappemacine. This is a 1.2 hectare vineyard planted to 80-year-old vines at 550 meters above sea level. The soils here consist of a thin layer of volcanic lava that allows the roots to penetrate the sandy limestone below. This results in a softer wine with a round and plush mouthfeel. Bright berry nuances are followed by pressed rose petal and crushed stone. I would suggest a slightly shorter drinking window for Contrada C. It ages in botte grande for 18 months." Robert Parker

"Helles Kirschrot. Präsentes und gleichzeitig sublimes Bouquet mit kristallklarer rotbeeriger Frucht, frischer Minze und einem Hauch Tabak. Am Gaumen dicht gewoben und energiegeladen, dabei sehr ausgewogen und komplex. Die vergleichsweise niedrigere Höhe auf 550 m ü. d. M. macht ihn etwas zugänglicher, weicher und etwas alkoholreicher. Die kräftige Tanninstruktur gibt ihm festen Halt im langen Abgang." Weinwisser

"Glänzendes Rubin mit Granatschimmer. Eröffnet in der Nase mit Noten nach Anchovis und Kapern, etwas Weichselkirsche. Saftig in Ansatz und Verlauf, entfaltet sich mit viel Schliff, fein, aber doch sehr nachhaltig, feinmaschiges Tannin, langer Nachhall." Falstaff

"Perfumed berry, fragrant blue flower, cake spice and leather are just some of the alluring scents you find on this firmly structured red. The elegant, full-bodied palate offers red cherry, raspberry, clove, menthol and licorice alongside a backbone of tightly wound but refined tannins and bright acidity." Wine Enthusiast

"From the contrada of Chiappemacine. Mid violet ruby. Perfumed, concentrated and almost earthy in character. Lots of density and fruit sweetness and energetic acidity. Perfumed, long and crunchy finish, with the tannins turning up on the finish. Powerful and elegant." Jancis Robinson

"Bright red. Crisp red berries and a pungent floral note on the nose. Then rich and round in the mouth, with nicely delineated, almost sweet red fruit and floral flavors dominating. This medium-bodied wine finishes tangy, focused and long. Contrada C stands for Chiappemacine, a vineyard area located at an altitude of 550 meters, featuring sandy and volcanic soils and planted to 80-year-old vines." Ian d'Agata

"The 2013 Contrada C sees fruit sourced from the Chiappemacine single vineyard. This is a deep and sophisticated red wine from Etna that opens to a light garnet color. The bouquet is redolent of volcanic aromas of ash and dusty soil. Indeed, the primary fruit is tucked in at the back and appears with moderate intensity. This wine feels very silky and lean in texture but the finish is impressive in terms of length." Robert Parker

Passopisciaros Contrada C ist ein exquisiter Roter mit dunklem sinnlichen Fruchtbouquet. Stilistisch wie ein großer Pinot Noir oder Nebbiolo, von bemerkenswerter Intensität am Gaumen bis in das andauernde Finale. Ein zugleich muskulöser und schwerelos wirkender Tropfen. (superiore.de)

"Bright red. Sweet spices and red cherry on the vivid nose. Then enters soft and round, but turns livelier, thanks to vibrant acidity that lifts the floral and red cherry flavors. Less explosive on the nose than Rampante and Sciaranuova, with a high, lemony acidity on the palate that speaks of this site’s calcareous soils. The C in the wine’s name stands for Chiappemacine (550 meters asl). The word chiappemacine itself derives from the large stone wheels used to crush olives when making olive oil." Ian d'Agata

"Smoky intensity and hints of red fruit on the nose. Tight palate packed with finely chiselled tannins and embryonic red fruit. Elegant, yet way too young." Jancis Robinson

"Snappy tannins and bright acidity are well-meshed with flavors of wild cherry, raspberry, mineral and spice in this vivid, light- to medium-bodied red. Hints of smoke and licorice linger on the creamy finish." Wine Spectator

Rubingranatfarben, feine Veilchennote und viele Gewürze im Bouquet. Dicht und kompakt mit straffem Tannin und süßem Fruchtschmelz. Gibt man ihm Zeit steht dieser Wein am Beginn einer langen, verheißungsvollen Entwicklung. (superiore.de)

"Bright red. Menthol, sour red cherry, and redcurrant liqueur on the spicy, intensely perfumed almost aromatic nose. Then also spicy in the mouth, with a fleshy powerful mouthfeel (14% alcohol) and outstanding length. This strikes me as being especially well balanced this year. The S in the name of Contrada S stands for Sciaranuova; these Nerello Mascalese grapes grow at 850 meters above sea level." Ian d'Agata

"Smoky, stony raspberry nose. Succulent red fruit with fine, powdery tannins. Closes up on the finish, but certainly an elegant wine." Jancis Robinson

"Medicinal herb and spice notes unwind through this grippy, medium-bodied red, which offers lively acidity and flavors of mulled cherry and mineral." Wine Spectator

Contrada Rampante gedeiht auf dem höchst gelegenen Weinberg von Passopisciaro. Die Böden haben einen höheren Sandanteil und die Lese findet hier später statt. Im Bouquet dunkelrote Kirschen, Blumen, Minze und Lakritze. Rampante ist ein eleganter, energiegeladener und energischer Roter mit klarer Frucht und seidigstem Tannin. (superiore.de)

"Bright red. Very elegant, clean, precise aromas and flavors of red berries, botanical herbs and sweet spices. Finishes very mineral and refined with lots of lingering spicy red fruit. This is the most ready Contrada R." Ian d'Agata

"All stones and raspberry on the nose and a fine note of spice. Really fine and juicy, light and fragrant. Long with fine, crunchy tannins. Already irresistible." Jancis Robinson

"Pretty rose petal, graphite and juicy cherry flavors are framed by light, dusty tannins and bright acidity in this charming, light- to medium-bodied red." Wine Spectator

Rubingranatfarben, feine Veilchennote und viele Gewürze im Bouquet. Dicht und kompakt mit straffem Tannin und süßem Fruchtschmelz. Gibt man ihm Zeit, steht dieser Wein (Alter der Reben: 100 Jahre, Produktion: 4.000 Flaschen) am Beginn einer langen, verheißungsvollen Entwicklung. (superiore.de)

"A pure note of crushed raspberry is accented by aromatic notes of herbes de Provence, ground pink peppercorn and cardamom spice in this finely knit, medium- to full-bodied red. Bright and expressive, with dense tannins holding sway on the mineral-laced finish." Wine Spectator

"The richest of the 2014 Passopisciaro wines on the nose and with hints of garden herbs. Juicy and vibrant with lots of fine fruit and an intense, perfumed, lifted finish. Lots of fireworks here." Jancis Robinson

"The 2014 Contrada G (100% Nerello Mascalese from the Guardiola vineyard) is a beautiful wine that offers a deep inner sense of volcanic winemaking. The wine's aromas are so distinct with crushed granite, flint and campfire ash. There are subtle fruit tones that recall dried cherry and pressed blackberry. Smoke, tar and spice make up the fiery and lively personality that this wine displays so generously." Robert Parker

Rubingranatfarben, feine Veilchennote und viele Gewürze im Bouquet. Dicht und kompakt mit straffem Tannin und süßem Fruchtschmelz. Gibt man ihm Zeit, steht dieser Wein (Alter der Reben: 100 Jahre, Produktion: 4.000 Flaschen) am Beginn einer langen, verheißungsvollen Entwicklung. (superiore.de)

"Bright dark red. Intensely aromatic nose of superripe red cherry, spices, minerals, balsamic vinegar and broom. Then clean, vibrant and tactile, with polished tannins providing noteworthy backbone on the long youthful, chewy finish. This will need a long time to smoothen out. The G in the wine’s name stands for Guardiola (800 meters asl). First made in 2011, so much later than the other single contrada wines by Franchetti." Ian d'Agata

"Fragrant and light red fruit with rather firm tannins. Seems pretty much ready now, but still in cask for the foreseeable future." Jancis Robinson

"Fresh and light- to medium-bodied, this perfumed red offers dried mint, violet and anise accents to the cherry and mandarin orange peel flavors." Wine Spectator