Passopisciaro Nerello Mascalese Terre Siciliane IGT Contrada G 2023 (750ml) *
Product price
$109.99
Description
High on the north side of Etna, in the Guardiola contrada at around 800 meters of altitude, this single-site bottling comes from Nerello Mascalese vines reported to be about 140 years old. It carries the Terre Siciliane IGT designation, made by Passopisciaro in a vintage that saw reduced yields here, and the fruit is moving toward organic certification. What that elevation gives the wine is freshness, and the old vines lend a deep, succulent core.
Fresh strawberry and red cherry lead the way, threaded with mint, sage, and aromatic herbs, and there is a stony, almost anise-tinged edge that keeps things savory rather than sweet. The palate is dense and full-bodied, built on a vertical line of zesty, piercing acidity, with tannins that are ripe but tight and crunchy, turning dustier through a long finish. It shows real power and energy, and it is still youthful, so a couple of years in the cellar will let it unwind.
Product Details
| Category | Wine |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Varietal | Nerello Mascalese |
| Producer | Passopisciaro |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Size | 750 ML |
| Subtype | Still |
Expert Reviews
A complex, elegant wine. Impressive fresh strawberries and red cherries are enhanced by mint, aromatic herbs and stony minerality. Dense and full-bodied, it shines with powerful structure and almost zesty acidity. Tight, biting yet ripe tannins are dustier in the finish. Best after one or two years. Drink from 2026. (James Suckling, May 2025)
Coming from Guardiola, the 2023 Contrada G is a youthful ruby color. They struggled with Peronospora here in this vintage, resulting in greatly reduced yields. Sacrifice aside, it’s a fantastic wine, with gorgeous with notes of black raspberries, violets, sage, and hints of anise. It’s savory on the palate, with ripe tannins and slightly broader shoulders, and it has deeper notes and a more saturating and rounder texture as well as a long finish. Drink 2026-2046. Coming from the eponymous village in the north side of Etna, they will be certified organic next year. (Jeb Dunnuck, October 2025)
Guardiola's 800 metres of altitude give the wines made here tons of freshness, and that's what we have in the 2023 Contrada G. Passopisciaro's vines are around 140 years old, giving a core of succulent red fruits aligned with piercing acidity on a really vertical palate, tight and crunchy with tons of energy. Still youthful, it will need time to unwind. (Decanter, April 2025)