Passopisciaro

The weather in 2009 had a particular effect on our wines, giving them a greater tension and density than normal. Scattered rains through the end of September, then continual into the middle of October: the rising humidity prompted us to pick earlier than in other year in each of the various vineyards that rise across the northern face of the volcano at the different altitudes.

2009 was a year of wines with strong varietal character than others because of the earlier pickings, so the blend amasses aromatic power, holds a backward, tight structure, and shows great complexity and aging potential. We fermented quickly and without maceration, and started aging the wines after running them, already clean of lees, in large vessels of wood and concrete. Preserving light, bright wines of nerello mascalese called for careful closure and rare rackings until bottling, which we did 18 months later, after a good fining to keep the wines clear and long lasting. Passopisciaro ’09 will peak after 2016.