This is high-density, 100+ year nerello mascalese fruit from high altitude, ancient lava soil. A contrada is a specific lava path where magma once flowed from Mount Etna. Now cooled, several contradas leading out from the volcano have decomposed into rich, volcanic soil; these lava flows have found their way, and over time, nerello has found its way to evolve on their special soils.
Over the last few releases (2009-2012), winemaker Andrea Franchetti seems to be finding his own path, as he searches for the right way to let his wines speak. Once blended together in 2008 & previous Passopisciaro, he now releases separate bottlings from each contrada. This 'Contrada R' stands for 'Contrada Rampante,' a contrada that translates to 'prancing.'
Rampante. Was it named thusly because the lava pranced down the volcano? Or does prancing refer to the way the wine interacts with the palate? Certainly, the flavors have a dance to them. Better yet, perhaps Rampante is a foreshadowing of what the wine can inspire in its drinkers.
Over the last few releases (2009-2012), winemaker Andrea Franchetti seems to be finding his own path, as he searches for the right way to let his wines speak. Once blended together in 2008 & previous Passopisciaro, he now releases separate bottlings from each contrada. This 'Contrada R' stands for 'Contrada Rampante,' a contrada that translates to 'prancing.'
Rampante. Was it named thusly because the lava pranced down the volcano? Or does prancing refer to the way the wine interacts with the palate? Certainly, the flavors have a dance to them. Better yet, perhaps Rampante is a foreshadowing of what the wine can inspire in its drinkers.
Passopisciaro 'Contrada R' 2010 (Sicily, Italy)
This is special stuff. Medium bodied wine, with complex aromas ranging from beef to flowers and everywhere in between. Perfect ripeness, expertly-handled tannins, delicious phenolics. But beyond hitting all the technical marks the wine is simply beautiful.
This is special stuff. Medium bodied wine, with complex aromas ranging from beef to flowers and everywhere in between. Perfect ripeness, expertly-handled tannins, delicious phenolics. But beyond hitting all the technical marks the wine is simply beautiful.
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