2012 Contrada Chiappemacine
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Tasting notes
The "C" in the 2012 Contrada C stands for Chiappemacine. This is a 1.2 hectare vineyard planted to 80-year-old vines at 550 meters above sea level. The soils here consist of a thin layer of volcanic lava that allows the roots to penetrate the sandy limestone below. This results in a softer wine with a round and plush mouthfeel. Bright berry nuances are followed by pressed rose petal and crushed stone. I would suggest a slightly shorter drinking window for Contrada C. It ages in botte grande for 18 months.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Small domain at 550 m that makes full-bodied wines on one of the lowest reaches of lava on a limestone base. They own 1.2 ha. Mid crimson. Open even if not one of the most intense, nor complex, noses of this single-contrada collection. Full-on bright red-fruit flavours but much less stoniness than some. Open and friendly at first and then it’s pretty drying, sucky-stony character on the finish. Not the most haunting or complete. A bit too drying on the finish. Demanding! It may just be too young. (JR)
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.