2021 Passorosso
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
100% Nerello Mascalese from the Malpasso, Guardiola, Santo Spirito, Favazza and Arcuria contrade and aged in large oak casks. Lustrous mid ruby. A raspberry nose with hints of garrigue and stones. Succulent and fluid and with fine gritty tannins and a hint of tar, showing this is already progressing a little, but should deliver great pleasure over the next five years. (WS)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Pale ruby. Sweet and minerally. Rather distinctive. Real grip on the palate. Interesting wine. Grainy texture on the end. Tastes more alcoholic than it is. (JR)
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.
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.
About the producer
Tenuta di Passopisciaro is the Etna estate owned by Andrea Franchetti, one of Italy’s pioneering winemakers who founded the Super Tuscan estate Tenuta di Trinoro, before becoming instrumental in Mount Etna’s wine renaissance with his Passopisciaro estate.