2006 Passopisciaro

I am not sure how he manages to do it, but the 2006 Passopisciaro somehow reconciles the super-ripe style that is Franchetti's signature while in no way sacrificing the weightless, ethereal personality of the wines of Etna. Think of the 2006 Passopisciaro as a cross between Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo. The wine possesses incredibly purity to its candied red cherries, spices and flowers. The wine blossoms on the palate with, extraordinary depth and length. This gorgeous effort will be tempting to drink young as the sheer density of the fruit is compelling, but the wine is so primary at this stage one can only wonder what might develop in bottle. This is a wonderful effort from Franchetti.