Passopisciaro Contrada ‘C’ Chiappemacine Nerello Mascelese 2020

Made from Nerello Mascelese, some call it the Barolo of the South, others a cross between Pinot & Nebbiolo. I prefer to say it is itself & delicious. The vineyards of Etna have undergone a major renaissance in the last couple of decades. Passipisciaro has been one of the wineries at the forefront. I was blown away the first time I tasted this wine.

The Chippemacine and Sciaranuovo tend to play at roughly the same weight.

NOTE: The two reviews below were made almost 12 months apart. The 1st by Guido was very close to bottling when the wines would be upset. The 2nd by Callegari a year later when the wines would have had a chance to resolve.

Umami aromas are first up on the nose, then soil and pencil shavings and finally crunchy red fruit and spicy heat, evoking cranberry jalapeño jam. The balancing act between sweet and heat continues on the palate, oscillating between cherries and strawberries and red chili flakes. Rich and round but also taut and precise—the fruit is perfectly ripe without tipping even for a second into excessive maturity.

Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast 94 Points May 2023

“The 2020 Contrada Chiappemacine (C) is pungently floral, lifting from the glass with a display of sour cherries, dried strawberries and a cedar spice box of flowery perfumes. Its silky textures wash across the palate with ease, ushering in sweet herbal-tinged red fruits, as vibrant acidity maintains a juicy feel. The 2020 finishes structured yet long, leaving hints of licorice and inner violet tones. A year or two of cellaring is recommended, as there is an underlying power here that is not yet fully realized. Drinking Window: 2024 – 2032”

Eric Guido, Vinous 91+ Points