2021 Franchetti

Tasting notes:

Franchetti is the most premium wine produced at Passopisciaro. A ‘Super-Etnean’ wine made with Petit Verdot and Cesanese d’Affile grown on volcanic soils. The proportion of the blend changes depending on the vintage. Matured in French oak barrels for six months followed by a further 12 months in cement vats. Intense aromas of black fruit with notes of pepper, smoke and spice. Concentrated and tannic, with a silky mouthfeel yet super-fresh due to a red-fruited acidity. This is a true winemaker’s wine expressing Andrea Franchetti’s love for concentrated flavours. Only 4,000 bottles are made on average every year.

Producer description:

Passopisciaro is considered one of Sicily’s top estates. In the year 2000, after being tipped by a friend, pioneer winemaker Andrea Franchetti visited the northern slope of Mount Etna to explore some neglected ancient vineyards. He saw great potential in the elevated terraces sitting on lava soils planted with Nerello Mascalese. Andrea focussed on making single-vineyard wines and aimed to pave the way towards a cru system in the area. Today, his son Benjamin continues his vision. All wines are biodynamic.