2014 Passopisciaro (aka Vini Franchetti), Etna Rosso DOC, Passorosso (RT93) My faith in this vintage/bottling has been renewed after opening this bottle. The last bottle was advanced and tertiarily evolved, which I suspect was a result of closure (cork) failure, which happens, even with the finest wines in the world. This bottle showed as I would expect a bottle of Etna Rosso at age 10, with a fresh, vibrant and lively persona. Light garnet haloed with a highly translucent, pale ruby hue, notes of cranberry liqueur, ripe red raspberry, alpine white flowers, minerality and a dusting of volcanic ash waft from the glass. Hints of still evident new oak (I suspect some neutral casks had been recently replaced) mostly dissipate. The palate is where this is happening as it reveals well developed integrated fruit that is both soft and supple, and delivers a mature mouthfeel, yet maintains its freshness. The acidity and tannins are soft and caressing. This is in an excellent drinking window and will continue to show well for a number of years, if cellared properly. Drink now-2032 Tasted November 2024
The first vintage of this wine was 2005 and through 2012 this bottling was known as Passopisciaro Rosso. Beginning in 2013 the wine was renamed Passorosso, but also marked the end of its designation as Terre Siciliane IGT and in 2014 was designated Etna Rosso DOC, which stands today. This large production wine, of which 36,000+ bottles were produced, with fruit coming from various Contrada’s (Cru’s) and is harvested from 70-100 year-old, 100% Nerello Mascalese bush vines. It goes through complete malolactic fermentation and is aged for 18 months in large casks. This is a blend of the Cru (aka Contrada) sites including Arcuria, Chiappemacine, Favazza, Guardiola, Feudo di Mezzo, and Sciaranuova.
In addition to this blend of Cru’s, Passopisciaro also bottles 5 single Contrada wines: Contrada C, Contrada P, Contrada G, Contrada S, and Contrada R – each coming from vineyards of different ages and are each on a lava flow with different minerals, grain size, and altitudes. Confusing? Yes. But once you’ve tasted a few you’ll appreciate why! These are world class Etna Rosso’s!
