2008 Contrada Sciaranuova
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Tasting notes
The 2008 Passopisciaro Contrada Sciaranuova is another of the darker, richer wines in this lineup. Ripe red fruits, spices, and flowers come together in a style that combines elements of power and etherealness. There is terrific concentration and depth in the glass, even if the Sciaranuova seems to have less of the distinct personality and direction of some of the estate's other 2008s. Still, it is impossible not to be impressed by the wine's sheer overall balance. The Sciaranuova is made from vines adjacent to Guardiola, the Contrada that is the base for the estate's straight Passopisciaro bottling.
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Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate
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The 2008 Passopisciaro Contrada Sciaranuova is another of the darker, richer wines in this lineup. Ripe red fruits, spices, and flowers come together in a style that combines elements of power and etherealness. There is terrific concentration and depth in the glass, even if the Sciaranuova seems to have less of the distinct personality and direction of some of the estate's other 2008s. Still, it is impossible not to be impressed by the wine's sheer overall balance. The Sciaranuova is made from vines adjacent to Guardiola, the Contrada that is the base for the estate's straight Passopisciaro bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. The Etna is one of Italy's most fascinating emerging wine regions and Andrea Franchetti is arguably the area's most fanatical, driven producer. High altitude vineyards, volcanic soils, ancient indigenous grape varieties in Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio and a rediscovery of the uniqueness of these vineyards are among the reasons for the spectacular growth in interest the Etna has seen in recent years. In 2008 Franchetti bottled his single-vineyard Nerello Mascaleses separately, resulting in four new wines, all of which are well worth discovering. The regular Passopisciaro bottling doesn't seem to have suffered, as it is magnificent in this vintage. Importer: T. Edward Wines, Ltd., New York, NY; tel. (212) 233-1504
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.