Vini Franchetti is Andrea Franchetti, who acquired Passopisciaro ("Fisherman's Path"), an ancient vineyard and winery, on the slopes of Sicily's Mt. Etna. He planted 40 acres of vines on the north side of Etna, at an elevation that peaks at just over 1,000m. Soil is black volcanic and calcareous.
a unique "super Etna", the traditional Nerello Mascalese with a splash of obscure Italian varietal Cesanese and Bordeaux blending grape Petit Verdot.
black cherry, smoke, white pepper, herbs, volcanic minerality on the finish.
region: Mt. Etna, Sicily, Italy
varietal: Nerello Mascalese, Cesanese, Petit Verdot
style: mineral driven red
farming/cellar: hand harvested, fermented in steel for 15 days, matured 10 months in large neutral oak, unfined, unfiltered
pairing: pasta alla norma