2018 Franchetti Rosso
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Tasting notes
A blend of 50% Petit Verdot and 50% Cesanese d'Affile planted in the Contrada Guardiola at 820 meters in elevation, the 2018 Franchetti is the feather in vintner Andrea Franchetti's Etna cap. The wine is saturated and thick, boasting a dark, rich appearance and carrying a 14.5% alcohol content. It shows medium-rich concentration with aromas of blackberry, black plum, spice and tar. There is some fruit softness here, but not very much, as the wine is more etched and sharp in personality. There are end notes of pencil shaving and crushed granite stone. Again, this 2018 vintage is naturally thinner and shorter compared to previous editions. It should be interesting to see how it fleshes out with more time in the bottle. Production is 3,930 bottles.
Critic scores
Average Score
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Eric Guido, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Franchetti coats the glass in an inky purple color while putting on a dramatic display of rich blackberry and plum sauce, lavender, sage, mocha and hints of smoke. Its velvety textures wash shades of blue and black fruit across the palate, which is seamless and elegant in feel, supported by underpinnings of salty minerals and savory herbs. There’s so much going on here, and much more to come through proper cellaring, as this winds down incredibly long and gently tannic, signing off with a resonating note of citrus-tinged currants and spice. The 2018 is a more refined and lifted expression of Franchetti that should enjoy a long and wide drinking window. This is an equal-parts blend of Petit Verdot and Cesanese Daffile.
About the producer
Tenuta di Passopisciaro is the Etna estate owned by Andrea Franchetti, one of Italy’s pioneering winemakers who founded the Super Tuscan estate Tenuta di Trinoro, before becoming instrumental in Mount Etna’s wine renaissance with his Passopisciaro estate.