2010 Passito di Pantelleria Ben Rye
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Tasting notes
100% Zibibbo. Dried grapes added to the fresh must in several batches – roughly 4 to 1 ratio of fresh to manually destemmed sun-dried grapes. Aged in tank and bottle. RS 195 g/l, TA 7.8 g/l, pH 3.83. Deep golden brown. More dried fruits here than on the 2011 – dates and dried figs. Caramelised-grape flavour. Rich and becoming almost savoury in its mature flavours despite the intense sweetness. Deep, rich, with a sour, tangy intensity and still the fruitiness of tarte Tatin. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
I am smitten by the 2010 Passito di Pantelleria Ben Ryé and I look forward to tasting the wine again as it continues its evolution. This vintage presents a very graceful and feminine side to Ben Ryé with dried rose and almond blossom. As those perfumes lift, the wine reveals lasting tones of candied fruit, honey and brown sugar. There's a noticeable contribution in the form of baking spice, cinnamon and nutmeg. This vintage produced lower yields than average, but the wine boasts a tonic and sharp sense of acidity as a result.
The 2010 Passito di Pantelleria Ben Ryé is wonderfully complete. Hints of dried Mediterranean herbs, licorice, dried roses, orange blossoms and roasted coffee beans flow effortlessly as the 2010 opens up in the glass. All the elements are fabulously balanced in this medium-bodied, moderately sweet dessert wine. This is a striking version of the Ben Ryé. (375 ml)
The 2010 Passito di Pantelleria Ben Rye is wonderfully complete. Hints of dried Mediterranean herbs, licorice, dried roses, orange blossoms and roasted coffee beans flow effortlessly as the 2010 opens up in the glass. All the elements are fabulously balanced in this medium-bodied, moderately sweet dessert wine. This is a striking version of the Ben Rye. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018. I was quite taken with the wines I tasted from Donnafugata this year. Donnafugata is one of Sicily’s most visible estates, so it is great to see them doing so well. Importer: Folio Fine Wine Partners, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 256-2700