2018 Contrada Sciaranuova
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Tasting notes
The fruit in this release of 2,165 bottles is drawn from the Contrada Sciaranuova, located in the village of Randazzo, known for its excellent vineyards and pistachio groves. We're climbing up the volcano here with vineyards at 850 meters in elevation and planted in much newer soils created with a lava flow that occurred two centuries ago. In fact, "Sciaranuova" means "new lava flow." These vineyards are positioned toward the northern side of the volcano and are associated with delicate and elegant expressions, which is definitely the case with this Nerello Mascalese. The Passopisciaro Vini Franchetti 2018 Contrada S reveals tight cherries and berry fruits framed by ash, smoke and tarry spice. It is streamlined and lean to the palate with very finely polished tannins. This wine should flesh out nicely with more time in bottle.
Critic scores
Average Score
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Eric Guido, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Contrada Sciaranuova (S) displays depths of wild strawberries and herbs complemented by hints of camphor and rosy florals. It’s silky and pliant in feel, contrasted by salty mineral notes and tart red berry fruits. Sweet tannins come forward but don’t get in the way as the Sciaranuova finishes remarkably pretty, mixing inner violet notes with a subtle twang of sour citrus. This is already showing quite well, but it would benefit from another year or two of cellaring.
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.