2012 Contrada Rampante
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
From the Contrade Rampant at 1,000 meters above sea level, the 2012 Contrada R is a finely nuanced and elegant wine. This is one of the last sites on Etna to reach maturity and therefore this wine benefits from a longer growing season. It also sees more acidity and a firmer quality of tannins that makes this bottle appropriate for long cellar aging. Small berry fruit, bitter almond, pressed violets and crushed stone are part of the bouquet. You can feel that extra astringency in the mouth for sure. Give Contrada R a good five years to flesh out further.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
An ancient cru at 1,000 m that they claim produces one of the most aromatic wines because of the sandy character the lava has acquired. They own 1.4 ha. Mid ruby. Very heady indeed. Quite a sumptuous high-toned nose. Dried herbs, quite a rich spread of fruit and veg on the palate. Extremely racy and refined despite the alcohol (of which one is not really aware). Nervy – sort of how you would imagine a Saar version of an Etna wine. Wonderful energy. (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.