Contrada R 2008
Viticulturally, the 2008 vintage started in 2007 when vines had reached the end of the November harvest unstressed from a tempered year and ready to enter the winter’s rest well nourished. There was then good hydration from repeated snowfalls on the mountain, and the hot three months of July, August and September were not able to stress the plants enough to halt the quick development through the growing and ripening stages. Some tiredness due to the dried-out soils came in October, but rains were already on the horizon and brought water in just the right quantity. They made the year a great vintage, with us picking continuously from the 23rd to the end of the month. 2008 is the first year we decided to bottle this Contrada separately.
Wines from here can be very pure, a bit like white wines, lithe, lifted, and long living. The cru that is harvested latest.
Vineyard age: 100 years
Vineyard area: 1.7 hectares
Vineyard density: 8,000 vines per Ha
Vineyard altitude: 1,000 m/3,300 ft a.s.l.
Yield per hectare: 15 Hl/Ha
Fertilization: None
Spraying: Clay, propolis, sulphur, copper, grapefruit seed extract
Vinification: Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel vats for 10 days
Aging: Malolactic fermentation followed by 18 months aging in large, neutral oak barrels
REVIEWS
“The 2008 Passopisciaro Contrada Rampante (from the estate’s highest vineyards) is nothing short of spectacular. I imagine the Rampante could easily be mistaken for a Barbaresco in a blind tasting. Ripe red berries, flowers and minerals are supported by firm, yet beautifully integrated tannins. Sweet menthol and licorice linger on the impeccable finish. This is an impressive showing!”
“Full, fresh red. Spicy red cherry, cranberry cocktail, dried herbs and flowers on the deep, brooding nose. Displays riper, deeper red fruit and mineral flavors than the other Contrada bottlings. Silky in texture but with a solid tannic spine and high but harmonious acidity ensuring good stuffing and palate presence. The best balanced of all the Passopisciaro wines: I would never have guessed it carried 15% alcohol. Finishes long, with a very pretty mineral persistence.”
100% Nerello Mascalese
