Vigneti Zabú 'Il Passo' Nerello Mascalese 2022

95 POINTS: Luca Maroni 
GOLD MEDAL: Mundus Vini
GOLD MEDAL: Berlin Wine Trophy
GOLD MEDAL: Sakura Wine Awards

Crafted from old-vine Nerello Mascalese – the grape behind the rare and revered reds of Mt Etna – this wine offers a softer, more full-bodied expression. While it doesn't come from Etna itself, it shares the hallmark elegance, savoury depth, and aromatic complexity that have made those wines so sought-after.

“Deep ruby in the glass, it opens with heady aromas of wild berries, sweet spices, and a whisper of dried herbs. The palate is plush and concentrated, offering layers of ripe cherry, plum, and mocha, wrapped in soft tannins and lifted by a touch of freshness.

Vigneti Zabù, in southern Sicily, is part of the Fantini group, founded by Valentino Sciotti in 1994 to produce top-quality wine from southern Italy. In 2005, Valentino and his and Sicilian winemaker Giuseppe Alfano Burruano planted their own vineyards on the hills around Lake Arancio, in Sambuca di Sicilia. Here, the untouched landscape boasts many ancient vineyards and proximity to the lake creates a perfect microclimate for grape growing. Their vines are planted at 400 metres above sea level on clay soils with good water retention capacity, which helps sustain the vines through Sicily’s hot summers. Today, these vines continue to flourish, lending themselves to attractive, drinkable wines.

14% ABV