Passorosso 2018

ABOUT THE VINTAGE

Passorosso is from ancient vines between 80-110 years old and from different terroirs on different lava flows and altitudes.

2018 was one of the rainiest and most tropical vintages we’ve seen on Etna in the last eight years, especially at the end of the summer. This year, we had to increase the number of times we passed through the vineyards to remove leaves mindfully, avoiding any burning but allowing air to pass through the canopy to mitigate the effects of this wet and humid climate. We countered effects of disease with natural products like clay and propolis as well.

With the red wines, we found ourselves with rain, humid, and sometimes fog — not ideal conditions at the end of the of growing season, but knowing how to work our vineyards, we did not let ourselves be deceived and intervened where and as needed, like a mosaic, in the various Contrade and from the vineyards from which we make our Passorosso.

The wines of this year will be varietally correct, linear, with a pronounced acidity, with the long-lived characteristics that define the finer vintage on Etna.

REVIEWS

Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, 91 points: “Red berry, baking spice and a balsamic whiff of camphor lead the nose. On the racy, linear palate, firm acidity and polished tannins accompany sour cherry, orange zest, mineral and aniseed. Taut refined tannins balance the vibrant energy. Drink through 2026.”

Gambero Rosso, Tre Bicchieri

Walter Speller, Jancis Robinson, 16.5 points: “Just mid ruby with the beginning of orange tinges. Lifted fragrant red-fruit nose with a hint of beef stock. Juicy red fruit that is a little racy and with fine chewy tannins. Lots of anima, light and appetising. Drink 2021-2023.”

Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate, 90 points: “This is the only Etna denomination wine in the Franchetti portfolio, and it is made with a selection of fruit from various vineyard sites on lava flows of different epochs. The 2018 Etna Rosso Passorosso opens to a lean garnet color with faded color intensity. Like the other wines from this vintage that saw problematic rain on some parts of Etna, this wine is thinner and tighter than some of the more generous vintages of the past. There are tart cherry flavors followed by ashy smoke and tar. Some 35,000 bottles were made. Drink 2021-2026.”

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Vini Franchetti