Passopisciaro produces six unique Nerello Mascalese wines, the idea being to showcase the profound differences in the terroir; lava flow, aspect, and altitude, of the various Contrada (single vineyards) that they work with.

• 2022 Passopisciaro Contrada R Rampante Rosso
• 2022 Passopisciaro Contrada S Sciaranuova Rosso
• 2022 Passopisciaro Contrada G Guardiola Rosso

2022 Passopisciaro Contrada R Rampante Rosso

Passopisciaro produces six unique Nerello Mascalese wines, the idea being to showcase the profound differences in the terroir; lava flow, aspect, and altitude, of the various Contrada (single vineyards) that they work with.

Contrada Rampante is the highest vineyard at 1000m - at this elevation the lava is quite sandy, with the ancient lava having turned to dust. The latest ripening of their cru wines, this is the most elegant and aromatic of their offerings.

Highly fragrant, and loaded with finesse, it’s full of red berries and spice, with smooth talc like tannins and bright acidity. Light and lithe, this wine is racy, with great length.

97 Points
"Beguiling nose of red fruit and pistachios, with flowers and black pepper enhancing the aromas. The attack is a bit raw, with edgy tannins and crisp acidity. It’s medium- to full-bodied and chewy, with a balanced finish. It needs time to soften the structure, but displays a tight, crunchy youthful style that will match well with food and has the potential for aging. This high-altitude vineyard delivers greatness. Drink after 2028."
- James Suckling

95 points
"Juicy raspberry and cherry, vanilla and almond essence, blue flowers, iron. This has flesh and flavour, and the quality of tannin here is probably the best of the bunch and sits well within the wine, there’s a cranberry crunch to acidity and a general sense of vigour, and the finish is long and replete with silty tannin. This is the wine I most like drinking of the quintet, and while it’s a more robust expression of the vineyard, it still has that *thing*."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

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2022 Passopisciaro Contrada S Sciaranuova Rosso

Contrada Sciaranuova is located at 850 metres above sea level on Mount Etna. In Sicilian, "sciara nuova" means "new lava flow." The vines here are planted on relatively new lava flow from the 1600s that has turned into thick gravel. This produces quite a rich wine, with beautiful aromatics.

So enticing; Mediterranean herbs, wild berries, and pretty rose notes on the nose, followed by a more elegant and tangy fruit spectrum on the palate, with of course the spice character so distinct in Etna Nerello. Integrated tannins and lively acidity round out this wine.

95 Points
"A complex nose of almost vermouth-like aromas, dried cherries, cinnamon, oak bark, rich black cherries and hints of smoke. Firm tannin and acidity with a full body, a tight-knit finish and restrained toastiness in the aftertaste. Drinkable now, but best from 2028."
- James Suckling

95+ points
"Cherry, blueberry, Earl Grey tea, chamomile, a bloody iron-like note. Medium-bodied, tight and tense, dark red fruits and mouth-perfume of dried flowers, pumice stone tannin, crisp acidity, cool and gently smoky closing out a finish of excellent length and precision. There’s a bit of drama here and X factor, and it’s maybe the wine where the mountain speaks most clearly. 95+ and could be 96 points in a year or so. Drink 2026-2040"
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

95 points
"The Passopisciaro 2022 Contrada S shows bright energy with a spot of fresh cherry that rises above the volcanic notes of ash and crushed stone that normally defines Nerello Mascalese. This wine draws its fruit from 90-year-old vines at 850 meters in elevation in the Contrada Sciaranuova. It sits very nicely on the palate with good primary intensity and elegantly chalky tannins. This is a limited release of just 2,075 bottles."
- Monica Larner (The Wine Advocate)

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2022 Passopisciaro Contrada G Guardiola Rosso

Contrada Guardiola (Contrada 'G') is set at between 800m-1000m above sea level on the edge of a lava flow from the last eruption in 1947. It's a forceful wine, full of latent power and density. Typically, this is one of the first Contrada to sell out each year.

Quite alluring on the nose, perfumes red flowers, fresh leather its invigorating. On the palate there is energy, depth, and precision, with spice, herbs, and crushed berry juice. Very elegant structure here, with fine tannins and lively acidity.

96 Points
"Earthy strawberries, dried flowers and soft spices on the nose. On the palate the wine is crunchy, with a medium body and crisp acidity. The tight, firm tannins are still youthful in the finish. Drinkable now, but will improve in complexity with aging."
- James Suckling

95+ points
The Passopisciaro 2022 Contrada G is a true beauty in a portfolio of wines that is very impressive across the board. The "G" stands for Guardiola, one of the most stunning vineyards anywhere, at 800 meters in elevation on the blackened volcanic cone with alberello (head-pruned) vines that have reached the 140-year mark. These factors shape a silky and very elegant wine with redcurrant, grilled herb and blue rosemary flower. Only 3,700 bottles exist.
- Monica Larner (The Wine Advocate)

95 points
"Cherry, blackcurrant, redcurrant, dried herbs and flowers, a slight liquorice richness. It’s medium-bodied, finely etched, a little smoky and volcanic, a dry pumice stone grip to tannin, cool in acidity, some orange peel and hibiscus perfume (in the way of a herbal tea thing) closes a long fine finish. 95 points. Drink 2026-2035+"
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

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