2018 Passorosso
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Tasting notes
These high-altitude vineyards are a staggering 15˚C below coastal temperatures in the region. Combine this with very cool nights and you have an exceptionally long growing season, the grapes typically not picked until late October. This gives the wine a rich, complex aromatic spectrum, while remaining distinctly elegant. On the nose there are bright red fruit aromas, ranging from raspberries to sour cherries with hints of white pepper. On the palate, the scented aromatic red fruit flavours continue with added saline and smoky mineral notes. The mid-palate is nicely concentrated and structured – the tannins polished and well framed by refreshing acidity, that leads to a sharp and precise finish. The wine is perfectly approachable now and should evolve nicely over the next five to eight years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
This is the only Etna denomination wine in the Franchetti portfolio, and it is made with a selection of fruit from various vineyard sites on lava flows of different epochs. The 2018 Etna Rosso Passorosso opens to a lean garnet color with faded color intensity. Like the other wines from this vintage that saw problematic rain on some parts of Etna, this wine is thinner and tighter than some of the more generous vintages of the past. There are tart cherry flavors followed by ashy smoke and tar. Some 35,000 bottles were made.
Nerello Mascalese from several of the estate's vineyards and aged for 10 months in large oak casks and concrete, followed by six months in bottle. Just mid ruby with the beginning of orange tinges. Lifted fragrant red-fruit nose with a hint of beef stock. Juicy red fruit that is a little racy and with fine chewy tannins. Lots of anima, light and appetising. (WS)
A rather pretty nose of rose petal, red cherry and sliced strawberry. Medium-bodied with gentle, guiding tannins. Linear and very clear on the palate. Bright and charming.
About the producer
Tenuta di Passopisciaro is the Etna estate owned by Andrea Franchetti, one of Italy’s pioneering winemakers who founded the Super Tuscan estate Tenuta di Trinoro, before becoming instrumental in Mount Etna’s wine renaissance with his Passopisciaro estate.