Passorosso 2021
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
A blend of ancient grapes of Nerello Mascalese from different vineyards located at different altitudes on the northern side of Etna. In general, the highest districts lie on more gravelly soils to coarser grain, while the lower ones on the finer and deeper soils composed of older lava flows, now oxidized and reduced to lava dust. This wine concentrates the characteristics of different terroirs in a single bottle to offer a global idea of a territory.
2021 vintage on the northern side of Mount Etna can be defined as “bizarre”.
Between November and December 2020 we had some rains, even copious in some moments, which brought a discreet water reserve to the plants, especially in the vineyards facing east. This was great for the new vineyard in Contrada Montedolce planted during 2020 Spring.
Starting into the new year, there was a thermic swing between early January and mid-February with rains and even some snow that barely reached the highest vineyards (800/1000 m.) and then an odd heat until the end of February and the beginning of March.
Spring surprises us with low temperatures until the end of May, making me “dream” of the seasonal regularity of past years.
But it’s only a dream!
Suddenly, with the arrival of June, Summer arrives.
The vines, that were a bit late, explode now filling the valley and its splendid terraces with emerald green, going with rhythm towards flowering and fruit set. What a joy!!
Heat, heat and more heat lead us to manage the foliage like haute couture and to support the plants with generous irrigation at night. We don’t need to water the old and centuries-old Nerello Mascalese vines that are able to draw lifeblood from their complex and deep root system.
Fiery sunrises and sunsets follow one another, catching the winegrower’s attention! Suddenly, the Chardonnay grapes were ready to be harvested after August 15th, we promptly started bringing to the cellar perfect and fragrant grapes, these grapes will produce a more intense and fragrant wine.
We were waiting for the temperature drop and the moderate rains at the beginning of September and they finally arrived, allowing us to start red grapes harvest just before mid-October. Days of blue skies, cool and crystalline nights help us to carry out the several harvests of the red grape varieties with our usual style, thus creating red wines of perfect ripeness and good balance.
REVIEWS
Jamessuckling.com – James Suckling, 94points: Made with Nerello Mascalese taken from all the vineyards. The aromas show plenty of strawberries and cherries with wrought iron and pumice. Medium-bodied with creamy and polished tannins with hints of cedar and light nutmeg. Savory and lightly tannic giving it tension and beauty. Drink or hold.
Eric Guido, Vinous, 93 points: The 2021 Passorosso is coy in the glass, slowly opening with suggestions of dusty rose and dried strawberries complicated by a hint of sweet Indian curry. It’s silky yet racy with a salty minerality that comes forward quickly, perfectly balanced by a core of juicy red fruit and autumnal spice. The Passorosso leaves the palate stained in youthful concentration as a bump of residual acidity maintains terrific freshness and licorice notes fade. What a beauty. This is first-class Etna Rosso. It’s important to note that the Passorosso is not a second wine or a wine made from younger vines but instead a blend of old vines from all of Passopisciaro’s crus. If there is one wine from this portfolio that should be considered every year, this is it.
James Button, Decanter, 92 points: Passorosso is a blend of fruit from the winery’s various contrada sites. Crunchy, herbal and slightly smoky red berry aromas are followed by a ripe, sweet red-fruited palate full of balsamic intrigue and subtle stoniness. Bright strawberry, cherry and raspberry are supported by tight, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity, ending witha succulent finish. Yum!
100% Nerello Mascalese
