Winery

Passopisciaro

The Beginning

The 2022 Contrade Release

Passopisciaro Contrada 'C' Chiappemacine Nerello Mascelese 2022
The Contrada ChiappaManiche has 90-year-old vines and is located midway up the volcanic cone at 550 meters in elevation. The Passopisciaro 2022 Contrada C shows a very specific character with a pronounced mineral note that cedes to blue and black fruits and fresh blooming violet. These two sides of the wine play against each other to add pretty contrasts and intensity. This elegant wine spends 18 months in oak. Some 4,000 bottles were released.Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate 94 Points
$159
$152ea in any 3+
$145ea in any 6+
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Passopisciaro Contrada 'R' Rampante Nerello Mascelese 2022
The Highest Elevation Contrada owned by Passopisciaro making delicious Ethereal wines!  The 2022 Contrada Rampante is intense, wafting up with all of the volcanic ash and stones that make up its soils, complicated by grilled herbs and citrus-laced blackberries. This is surprisingly juicy and energetic in feel, with a wave of vibrantly ripe red and blue fruits that swirl throughout as tactile minerals collect toward the close. It finishes with teeth-coating tannins and concentration, lea
$159
$152ea in any 3+
$145ea in any 6+
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Passopisciaro Contrada 'G' Guardiola Nerello Mascelese 2022
Guardiola higher elevation puts it on the more elegant side of the scales! The Passopisciaro 2022 Contrada G is a true beauty in a portfolio of wines that is very impressive across the board. The "G" stands for Guardiola, one of the most stunning vineyards anywhere, at 800 meters in elevation on the blackened volcanic cone with alberello (head-pruned) vines that have reached the 140-year mark. These factors shape a silky and very elegant wine with redcurrant, grilled herb and blue rosemary flowe
$159
$152ea in any 3+
$145ea in any 6+
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Passopisciaro Contrada 'S' Sciaranuova Nerello Mascelese 2022
Meaning New Lava Flow it's young soils have not broken down to release as much nutrient as the olds flows. Treating the vines mean and keeping them lean! The Passopisciaro 2022 Contrada S shows bright energy with a spot of fresh cherry that rises above the volcanic notes of ash and crushed stone that normally defines Nerello Mascalese. This wine draws its fruit from 90-year-old vines at 850 meters in elevation in the Contrada Sciaranuova. It sits very nicely on the palate with good primary inten
$159
$152ea in any 3+
$145ea in any 6+
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The 2021 Contrade Release

Passopisciaro Contrada 'PC' Chardonnay 2021
Nice little bit of funk and complexity with citrus oils lifting from the glass. The step up in quality of fruit from the Passobianco is significant and justifies the step up in price. Focused and vertical with excellent mid-palate weight. Those citrus oils translate from nose to palate. The élévage here is very good with a harmony from the careful exposure to oxygen during maturation.From just a few terrraces with very deep soil. The yields here are lowered to ⅓ of capable at 5 bunc
$176
$169ea in any 3+
$162ea in any 6+
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Passopisciaro Contrada 'C' Chiappemacine Nerello Mascelese 2021
A delicacy and perfume on the nose. Oyster shell and seaweed hint in the wine. The lowest of Passopisciaro’s contrada. Chiappemacine is typically fuller and richer by comparison The 2021 is a demonstration of Passopisciaro’s desire to tame the beast, pulling it back and achieving restraint.The core of fruit on the palate is one of the richer profiles for the 2021 Contrade. Red fruit, strawberry, a savoury layer and an earthiness. Still quite tight with slate and excellent tannins of gri
$176
$169ea in any 3+
$162ea in any 6+
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Passopisciaro Contrada 'P' Porcaria Nerello Mascelese 2021
Lower elevation builds more generosity into Porcaria. Such wonderful texture! More immediate generosity from Porcaria, a sub-contrada of Feudo di Mezzo. A little savoury, with a full round aroma profile. Rich and round on the palate with excellent acid, zippy and on the borderline of sour, countered by ripe, spiced fruit. Time will undoubtedly see the acid resolve. Excellent red and darker fruit with baking spice and slatey grip of tannin. Herbal and fine. Very good. NOTE: I tasted these 12
$176
$169ea in any 3+
$162ea in any 6+
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Passopisciaro Contrada 'R' Rampante Nerello Mascelese 2021
The Highest Elevation Contrada owned by Passopisciaro making delicious Ethereal wines! The hardest of the Contrade wines to read straight away. Oyster shell and seaweed aromas remind me of the Passorosso 2021 when just off the boat. Elegant, fine and delicate. Tightly coiled, this is the dark horse with time in bottle it will build generosity and open. A loverly perfume with a savoury hit. Red fruits, a wine often paired with fish. Restrained.  Slatey, fine tannin with a little more grip a
$176
$169ea in any 3+
$162ea in any 6+
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Passopisciaro Contrada 'S' Sciaranuova Nerello Mascelese 2021
Meaning New Lava Flow it's young soils have not broken down to release as much nutrient as the olds flows. Treating the vines mean and keeping them lean! Such an interesting comparison in flavour profile with the Guardiola. Brooding, there’s something inviting and seductive about it.It has an incredible amount to offer. Beautifully balanaced. Earthier more secondary characters with savoury bits. Blossoming in the glass fruit comes through quickly with a lift of rose perfume. Just like the
$176
$169ea in any 3+
$162ea in any 6+
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Passopisciaro Contrada 'G' Guardiola Nerello Mascelese 2021
Guardiola higher elevation puts it on the more elegant side of the scales! Very together on the nose, seamless and complete. Long and fine, exceptional length, layering and balance with great depth of fruit. Perfume dancing over the top of red and darker fruit. Layers of excellent tannin with playful grip. Licks of spice, savoury bits and beyond. Camphor, fine tabacco, slate and liquorice. An absolute ripper! NOTE: I tasted these 12 months after Eric Guido in June 2024.The prestige of
$176
$169ea in any 3+
$162ea in any 6+
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The Contrade

The 2020 Contrade

Passopisciaro Contrada 'C' Chiappemacine Nerello Mascelese 2020
The lowest of Passopisciaro's contrada. Chiappemacine is typically fuller and richer by comparison 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 t
$188
$178ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
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Passopisciaro Contrada 'P' Porcaria Nerello Mascelese 2020
Lower elevation builds more generosity into Porcaria. Such wonderful texture! 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.NOTE: The two reviews below were made almost 12 months apart
$188
$178ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
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Passopisciaro Contrada 'S' Sciaranuova Nerello Mascelese 2020
Meaning New Lava Flow it's young soils have not broken down to release as much nutrient as the olds flows. Treating the vines mean and keeping them lean! 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 taste
$188
$178ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
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Passopisciaro Contrada 'R' Rampante Nerello Mascelese 2020
The Highest Elevation Contrada owned by Passopisciaro making delicious Ethereal wines! 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.A little rule of thumb 👍🏻for you, wines of hi
$188
$178ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
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Passopisciaro Contrada 'G' Guardiola Nerello Mascelese 2020
Guardiola higher elevation puts it on the more elegant side of the scales! 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.NOTE: The two reviews below were made almost 12 months apart. T
$188
$178ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
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The 2019 Contrade

Passopisciaro Contrada 'P' Porcaria Nerello Mascelese 2019
Lower elevation builds more generosity into Porcaria. Such wonderful texture! 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.“Aromas of Mediterranean scrub, eucalyptus, smoky flint an
$170
$163ea in any 3+
$156ea in any 6+
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Passopisciaro Contrada 'C' Chiappemacine Nerello Mascelese 2019
The lowest of Passopisciaro's contrada. Chiappemacine is typically fuller and richer by comparison 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 t
$170
$163ea in any 3+
$156ea in any 6+
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Filters & Sorting

Passopisciaro Contrada 'C' Chiappemacine Nerello Mascelese 2020
The lowest of Passopisciaro's contrada. Chiappemacine is typically fuller and richer by comparison 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 t
$188
$178ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
Passopisciaro Contrada 'P' Porcaria Nerello Mascelese 2020
Lower elevation builds more generosity into Porcaria. Such wonderful texture! 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.NOTE: The two reviews below were made almost 12 months apart
$188
$178ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
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More Info
Passopisciaro Contrada 'R' Rampante Nerello Mascelese 2020
The Highest Elevation Contrada owned by Passopisciaro making delicious Ethereal wines! 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.A little rule of thumb 👍🏻for you, wines of hi
$188
$178ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
Passopisciaro Contrada 'S' Sciaranuova Nerello Mascelese 2020
Meaning New Lava Flow it's young soils have not broken down to release as much nutrient as the olds flows. Treating the vines mean and keeping them lean! 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 taste
$188
$178ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
Passopisciaro Contrada 'G' Guardiola Nerello Mascelese 2020
Guardiola higher elevation puts it on the more elegant side of the scales! 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.NOTE: The two reviews below were made almost 12 months apart. T
$188
$178ea in any 3+
$168ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info