Passopisciaro Contrada "R" Rampante Terre Siciliane IGP 2024

Contrada R 2024 is 100% Nerello Mascalese from Contrada Rampante, the highest of Passopisciaro's contradas. The vineyard is situated at about 1,000 meters altitude on steep terraces shaped by traditional stone walls, and the vines are an impressive 120 years old.

The soil consists of approximately 4,000-year-old lava that has become sandy and oxidized over time. The combination of the ancient volcanic soil, the extremely old vines, and the high altitude gives Rampante a distinct character that clearly sets it apart from the other contradas.

The aroma features dark fruits, cherries, plums, and blackberries, complemented by roses, spices, licorice, and mineral notes of wet stone. The taste is intense and structured with juicy dark fruit, lively acidity, and firm tannins. There is both fullness and power, but the altitude also gives the wine freshness and a long, spicy, and mineral finish.

Contrada R typically has more structure and darker fruit than Contrada S and is a wine that can benefit from time in the cellar, where the tannins will soften and the more complex nuances will have room to develop.

2024 offered a warm and dry summer, but the high-altitude vineyards delivered beautiful and generous grapes. The harvest of the red grapes began on October 3rd, and the producer highlights the vintage's excellent balance between fullness, tannins, acidity, and alcohol.

The wine is aged in oak and clearly showcases Rampante's unique terroir and extreme location.