Franchetti 2022
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
Franchetti is a unique blend of Petit Verdot and Cesanese d’Affile; it is grown in contrada Guardiola at 820 meters above sea level. The winemaker’s interpretation of a full bodied wine on Etna. The result is a wine of great concentration, as black as lava and volcanic smoke that flow from Etna.
As soon as the 2021 harvest was over at the end of October, we witnessed a torrential rain that caused a flood, especially in the Randazzo area. Between the end of November and the end of December we saw more rain in all our vineyards, cold temperatures and snow at altitudes of 1.200/1.500 meters a.s.l. A great start to winter that created good water reserves in the soil.
2022 started off with rather cold temperatures. Budbreak was regular, and the spring rains further replenished our water reserves. This fact, combined with the very warm temperatures in early summer, contributed to a rapid development of the canopy.
The vineyards where the grapes for the Franchetti grow are among the ones that are suffering more for climate change. But with a well-timed harvest on September 28th we could preserve freshness and character of petit Verdot and the great concentration and acidity of Cesanese d’Affile.
REVIEWS
Vinous, 94-96 points: “The 2022 Franchetti is dark and brooding in the glass as mentholated herbs and white smoke give way to dried blackberries, earth tones and a hint of white pepper. This is velvety and supple, enveloping the palate with a cloak of ripe red and black fruits as a growing tension develops beneath the surface, mixing salty minerals with fine tannins. Brilliant acidity maintains fantastic balance as the 2022 finishes spicy and long. There’s a classic feel to its structural components, closing with an air of violet inner florals. In 2022, the Franchetti is a blend of 70% Petit Verdot and 30% Cesanese d’Affile. Tasted from barrel.”
Wine Advocate, 94 points: “This wine always stands apart in a tasting of Etna reds. Made with a blend of 70% Petit Verdot and 30% Cesanese d’Affile (a grape found mostly in the Lazio region of central Italy), this wine has been the focus of some controversy in the past because no indigenous grapes are used, but it has come into its own in recent years. With a production history that spans two decades, it is also one of the first red wines from teh Sicilian volcano to emerge with international interest. The Passopisciaro 2022 Franchetti (with just 3,800 bottles made) reveals a blackish color and thick concentration with aromas of blackcurrant, spice and tobacco. There is ample meat on these bones in terms of succulence, fruit weight and a 15% alcohol content, but the wine does gracefully hold back from feeling too over-extracted or heavy. It shows velvety tannins. It ferments in stainless steel and starts off in barrique for six months, followed by 12 months of aging in large oak casks. These are 21-year-old vines planted by teh late Andrea Franchetti in double guyot at 820 to 850 meters above sea level.”
BLEND
70% Petit Verdot
30% Cesanese d’Affile
ALTITUDE
820 m asl (2,700 feet)
