Passorosso 2017
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
Passorosso is from ancient vines between 80-110 years old and from different terroirs on different lava flows and altitudes.
The heatwaves that hit the mainland of Italy also came to Etna. With no drops in temperature that usually brighten the nights, the long, hot summer lasted until mid-September. We had to add a little water to the vines to help them through. The grapes had ripened steadily and gradually during late summer and, especially, fall. The advanced maturation in the grapes caused the harvest to begin more than a week earlier than usual and all at once, from October 20th to 29th.
The nerello mascalese wines of 2017 are strong in body, powerful in structure, with notes of ripe red fruits, blood orange, pomegranate, and camphor.
REVIEWS
Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, 93 points, Editors’ Choice: “Aromas of ripe wild berry and Mediterranean scrub alongside a whiff of eucalyptus take shape in the glass. Juicy and smooth, the palate offers crushed raspberry, strawberry compote, licorice and notes of exotic incense framed in taut, fine-grained tannins. A tangy mineral note gives the finish tension. Drink through 2027.”
Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate, 91 points: “The 2017 Etna Rosso Passorosso is a mid-weight wine with added succulence and concentration that comes naturally to this vintage. The wine shows the characteristics of Etna with wild berry aromas that cede to blue flower, smoke, tar, toasted aniseed and campfire ash. This is one of the most accessible and easy-drinking reds from Andrea Franchetti.”
Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, 89 points: “Dried raspberry and fresh brown bread notes are underscored by stemmy herb and smoke flavors in this savory red, which is medium-bodied, ending with a chewy finish. Drink now through 2023”
100% Nerello Mascalese
