Passopisciaro Rosso 2005
The nerello mascalese that we picked in 2005 was tight, classic wine material. After a fairly cool year the weather made it possible, if barely, to hold our pickings until way into November: we harvested from the 12th to the 25th.
Year after year, we are seeing how the dry Alcantara valley and the nerello grape’s late ripening in the high altitudes make it possible to have fine and beautifully diverse vintages, producing aromatic and rich wines. The incredible difference of soils, due to the apparent distinctions between lava spills, and altitudes are worked into the character of this wine.
Vineyard age: 70-100 years
Vineyard density: 8,000 vines/Ha
Vineyard altitude: 500-1,100 m asl
Yield per hectare: 40 Hl/Ha
Fertilization: None
Spraying: Propolis, grapefruit seed extract, copper, sulphur, clay, lime
Vinification: Temperature-controlled fermentation in 30 Hl steel vats for 15 days
Aging: 18-20 months in 30 and 50 hectoliter neutral oak barrels, at least 3 months in bottle
Bottling: March 2007
Production: 30,000 bottles
REVIEWS
“The 2005 Passopisciaro (Nerello Mascalese) opens with suggestions of candied red cherries and raspberries. It is lithe and sensual on the palate, with an attractive liqueur-like, perfumed quality to its fruit. From start to finish the wine reveals notable clarity and precision. This is a remarkable effort from this young property. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2015”
— Antonio Galloni, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 93 points