2023 Passopisciaro "Passobianco" Terre Siciliane

The 2021 Passobianco is dreamy. It lifts up with a sweet burst of white flowers and candied lime, then pulls the taster back down to the earth with wet stone and savory herbs. This is soothing and round with pure orchard fruit, making it creamy as it warms on the palate. The 2021 finishes with medium length and is crisply refreshing, leaving a lingering baked apple note. This is a more opulent rendition of Passobianco, a varietal Chardonnay, yet it is expertly balanced and should perform beautifully for several years.

This is 100% Chardonnay grown between 850 and 1,000 meters above sea level. Forget oaky, buttery Chardonnay; this is liquid rock. It is sharp, vertical, and driven by a tropical luminosity—notes of dragon fruit, lemon zest, and white flowers—anchored by a deep, savory vein of volcanic salt. It is one of the most unique white wines in Italy.