Andrea Franchetti is, perhaps, the purest of the "outsiders" who descended upon Mt Etna in the early 2000s, realizing the fantastic possibilities of Etna wines in a region that had for centuries farmed grapes for bulk production and table wine.

The soils here are all volcanic, quite literally. Lava flows, old and new(er), are evident in and around the vineyards, which are planted in interspersed areas of decomposed lava rock. Franchetti was the first to highlight the differences of each lava flow parcel vineyard (these are usually in terraces with surrounding walls, and called "contradas"), depending on mineral composition and, crucially, on how the lava had cooled and broken down (powdery, sandy, gravelly, rocky, etc).

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This 2017 Passorosso is 100% nerello mascalese, full of wild berries, dark cherry, and pomegranate up front, with classic camphor on the rich, lush palate, big tannins, and a finish of strong minerality. You'll definitely want to decant this, as it gets bigger and more beautiful with more air. Drink it with gamey meats or a juicy steak, or any other big, rich winter meal.