Contrada S 2021
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
Contrada Sciaranuova is located at 850m a.s.l. The name means “new casting” in Sicilian, indicating the recent geological age of the casting formed just 400 years ago. The wine is deep, broad in complexion, with a note of fermented hay. The vineyard covers 1 hectare of surface.
2021 vintage on the northern side of Mount Etna can be defined as “bizarre”.
Between November and December 2020 we had some rains, even copious in some moments, which brought a discreet water reserve to the plants, especially in the vineyards facing east. This was great for the new vineyard in Contrada Montedolce planted during 2020 Spring.
Starting into the new year, there was a thermic swing between early January and mid-February with rains and even some snow that barely reached the highest vineyards (800/1000 m.) and then an odd heat until the end of February and the beginning of March.
Spring surprises us with low temperatures until the end of May, making me “dream” of the seasonal regularity of past years.
But it’s only a dream!
Suddenly, with the arrival of June, Summer arrives.
The vines, that were a bit late, explode now filling the valley and its splendid terraces with emerald green, going with rhythm towards flowering and fruit set. What a joy!!
Heat, heat and more heat lead us to manage the foliage like haute couture and to support the plants with generous irrigation at night. We don’t need to water the old and centuries-old Nerello Mascalese vines that are able to draw lifeblood from their complex and deep root system.
Fiery sunrises and sunsets follow one another, catching the winegrower’s attention! Suddenly, the Chardonnay grapes were ready to be harvested after August 15th, we promptly started bringing to the cellar perfect and fragrant grapes, these grapes will produce a more intense and fragrant wine.
We were waiting for the temperature drop and the moderate rains at the beginning of September and they finally arrived, allowing us to start red grapes harvest just before mid-October. Days of blue skies, cool and crystalline nights help us to carry out the several harvests of the red grape varieties with our usual style, thus creating red wines of perfect ripeness and good balance.
REVIEWS
James Button, Decanter, 95 points: Contrada Sciaranuova is situated at 850m, located on a gravelly lava flow from the 17th century, where Passopisciaro own 1ha of vines. A full, earthy, black and red cherry nose with overt balsamic scents and floral overtones leads to an intense and succulent palate. Bold, bright red, balck and blue fruits are steadfastly supported by sturdy tannins, making this a wine best drunk after further time in the bottle. a beautiful black cherry and raspberry finish emerges, along with some dusty, earthy, violet and wood tones. 2.000 bottles produced.
Jamessucklingcom – James Suckling, 96 points: So many spices and minerals here with white pepper, sandalwood, dried flowers and cloves. Ripe strawberries, too. Perfumed. Full- bodied and structured with chewy tannins and lots of muscle. Give this five or six years to soften and come into its own.
Eric Guido, Vinous, 95 points: The 2021 Contrada Sciaranuova (S) is a well-muscled dancer who enters the stage coy and withdraws, forcing the taster to work for its youthfully backward bouquet. Suggestions of dried roses, licorice, wild strawberries and clove are enshrouded by sweet smoke. It flows across the palate with a wave of pure silk, seamless and refined with pretty red berry fruit underscored by minerals and a steadily building tannic tension that hints at the power within. This coats the palate with a staining of primary concentration that lingers long as violet inner florals and tart blackberry fade.
BLEND
100% Nerello Mascalese
ALTITUDE
850 m asl (2,750 feet)
PRODUCTION
2,600 bottles
