2019 Contrada Rampante
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Tasting notes
From the Contrada Rampante in Castiglione di Sicilia at 1,000 meters in elevation, the Vini Franchetti 2019 Contrada R is characterized by plummy black fruit at its core and a richer, softer texture compared to some of the other single-vineyard wines in this series. With fruit from 100-year-old vines, it is tight and quite structured despite its luminous ruby shine and medium-light appearance. There are salty mineral notes on the close, even some crushed white pepper, to remind you of this spectacular volcanic landscape. This is a release of 3,080 bottles.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Contrada Rampante (R) wafts up with a dramatic yet incredibly pretty display of dried flowers, exotic spices, smoke and sour cherries. This is softly textured and finessed, with bright acidity further enlivening the tart red berries found within. It leaves a staining of minerality, along with fine tannins that emerge only at the very end, as hints of sour citrus and inner rose tones fade. The Rampante vineyard is the highest-altitude site where Passopisciaro farms Nerello Mascalese, at 1,000 meters.
100% Nerello Mascalese from 100-year-old vines grown in Contrada Rampante at 1,000 m above sea level. Fermentation in stainless steel with a total skin-contact time of 15 days. MLF and ageing for 18 months in large oak casks. Mid ruby. Brooding and hinting at ripe red fruit with iodine notes, oatmeal and still embryonic. Richly tannic racy raspberry fruit. Very long, juicy and energetic, tannic and perfumed. Great long-lasting tannic bite on the finish. (WS)
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.