2018 Contrada Porcaria
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Tasting notes
From the Contrada Porcaria (a 1.5-hectare plot at 650 meters in elevation), the 2018 Contrada P shows more intensity and maybe a small degree more concentration and fruit weight compared to some of the other Nerello Mascalese bottles in this contrada-specific series from Andrea Franchetti. This wine sports slightly broader shoulders with tart cherry, dried currant and bitter almond. I also taste the delineation of the wine's tannic structure with more clarity in this release of 2,750 bottles from Porcaria.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
100% Nerello Mascalese grown in Contrada Porcaria at 650 m above sea level. Fermentation in stainless steel and aged for 18 months in large oak casks. Mid ruby with the beginning of orange tinges. Deep, sweet, perfumed red fruit spiked with savoury and minerally notes and with a hint of oak. The palate is quite different with elegant, fragrant, almost racy crushed red fruit, succulent acidity and a rich layer of sandy tannins. (WS)
A rich display of black cherry, licorice, tar and smoke unfolds as the 2018 Contrada Porcaria (P) challenges the imagination. This is dark and brooding in character, the silky wave of black fruit and minerals evolving into a more tactile display of fine-grained tannins and savory exotic spice. The Porcaria is almost salty at times, saturating to the senses and youthfully clenched. Notes of currants and tobacco linger incredibly long. This will require some time in the cellar to show its best, but it will be well worth the wait.
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.