Pala Assoluto Passito Isola dei Nuraghi IGT 2023 (375ml) *

Passito is Italy's method of drying grapes before pressing, concentrating their sugars and flavors into something dense and sweet, and here it comes from Sardinia under the island's broad Isola dei Nuraghi IGT. This is the 2023 Assoluto from Pala, a dessert wine that finished with 111 grams per liter of residual sugar, plenty of sweetness but built to carry it.

The nose leans toward the playful, all confectionary spice, mango sorbet, white flowers and candied citrus. On the palate it turns silken and enveloping, then surprises with a savory streak and a sour, lemony bite that keeps the concentration in check. It closes long and taut, with saline mineral tones and a lingering note of ginger.