Contrada S 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.
We harvested in this Contrada between November 1st and 15th. 2008 is the first year we decided to bottle this Contrada separately.
Vineyard age: 80 years
Vineyard area: 1 hectare
Vineyard density: 8,000 vines/Ha
Vineyard altitude: 850 m asl
Yield per hectare: 25 Hl/Ha
Fertilization: None
Spraying: Propolis, sulphur, copper, clay, grapefruit seed extract
Vinification: Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel vats with skin contact for 15 days
Aging: MLF followed by 18-20 months aging in large, neutral oak barrels, followed by brief aging in bottle
Bottling: Spring 2010 after fining
Production: 2,000
REVIEWS
“The 2008 Passopisciaro Contrada Sciaranuova is another of the darker, richer wines in this lineup. Ripe red fruits, spices, and flowers come together in a style that combines elements of power and etherealness. There is terrific concentration and depth in the glass, even if the Sciaranuova seems to have less of the distinct personality and direction of some of the estate’s other 2008s. Still, it is impossible not to be impressed by the wine’s sheer overall balance. The Sciaranuova is made from vines adjacent to Guardiola, the Contrada that is the base for the estate’s straight Passopisciaro bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.”
— Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, 92 points
100% Nerello Mascalese
