Passopisciaro Contrada P Terre Siciliane IGT 2021
Passopisciaro
Andrea Franchetti's Passopisciaro project maps Etna's contrade with obsessive precision, and Contrada P — from the Porcaria vineyard on Etna's north face — is a vivid demonstration of how volcanic fire, stored in the soil for millennia, shapes a wine's identity. Nerello Mascalese here is lean, focused, and electric.
Nose
Bright wild cherry and dried rose petal, layered with volcanic minerality and a subtle herbal quality. A light smokiness from the lava-rich soils adds intrigue.
Palate
Medium-bodied with a racy acidity that drives the wine forward. Red berry fruit is precise and lifted, framed by fine-grained tannins. There is a savory, almost ashy quality that speaks directly to the volcanic terroir — crushed rock and iron filings beneath the fruit.
Finish
Long and mineral-driven, with lingering cherry and a dusting of dried herbs.
- Varietal
- Nerello Mascalese
- Blend
- 100% Nerello Mascalese
- Vineyards
- Contrada Porcaria, north face of Mount Etna, ~700m elevation
- Alcohol
- 14%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
Food Pairing
Grilled swordfish steak served over Sicilian caponata — the wine's acidity and mineral intensity complement the meaty fish and the sweet-sour vegetables.
Founded by the late Andrea Franchetti in 2000 on Etna's north slope, Passopisciaro cultivates old-vine Nerello Mascalese across individual contrade — volcanic parcels each with their own altitude, soil, and exposure.
Be the first to comment.
Leave a comment
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Télégramme Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2020
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe
Télégramme is the second wine of the legendary La Crau bottling, and the 2020 vintage is a testament to the warmth and generosity of that year. It offers much of the depth and complexity of its elder sibling at a fraction of the price — a serious Châteauneuf for everyday enjoyment.
Vietti Barbera d'Asti Tre Vigne 2022
Vietti
Vietti's Tre Vigne Barbera shows how minimal oak aging can shape a wine without redefining it. The fruit remains front and center, with wood providing structure rather than flavor. For a daily-drinking red from a top Piedmont producer, it delivers remarkable clarity and balance.
Benanti Etna Rosso DOC 2021
Benanti
Benanti pioneered the modern Etna wine movement in the 1980s, and their entry-level Rosso remains a benchmark for the appellation. Nerello Mascalese grown on volcanic slopes delivers transparency, tension, and a sense of place that few wines at this price can match. A vivid expression of heat stored in stone.
Marchesi di Gresy Barbaresco Martinenga DOCG 2020
Marchesi di Gresy
Marchesi di Gresy's Martinenga vineyard is one of the historic crus of Barbaresco, and this 2020 shows the site's characteristic combination of elegance and structure. The tannins are fine-grained and the fruit pristine. A wine that rewards careful attention and moderate cellaring.