2019 Passobianco
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Tasting notes
Here's a very special expression of Chardonnay with vines planed at a stunning 900 to 1,000 meters above sea level on ashy volcanic soils. The Vini Franchetti 2019 Passobianco (with 35,892 bottles released) ferments in stainless steel and ages in both cement and botti for 18 months. It opens to soothing honey, almond, saffron and Sicilian orange over a waxy, mid-weight texture. This is a beauty.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Passobianco is pretty and perfumed, wafting up with vivid notes of crushed apples, white flowers and fresh mint. This is round with a pleasant inner sweetness, as citrus-tinged, ripe orchard fruits are nicely contrasted by savory herbal nuances. It leaves notions of kiwi and young peach to linger while finishing remarkably fresh and with admirable length. There is so much balanced pleasure to be found within this varietal Chardonnay.
100% Chardonnay from a 15-year-old vineyard planted at a density of 12,300 vines/ha at between 800 and 1,000 m above sea level. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 18 months in concrete tanks and large oak barrels. Straw yellow. Concentrated, deep and alluring white- and citrus-fruit nose with hints of kumquat and papaya. Orange and lemon palate with bitter-almond notes on the finish. Long and a little linear and with plenty of substance. (WS)
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.