DONNAFUGATA Passito di Pantelleria 'Ben Rye' - Pantelleria, Sicily 2020/21 HALF (los)

Description

Donnafugata’s masterpiece is ‘Ben Ryé‘: a Moscato Passito from the island of Pantelleria, which lies closer to Africa than it does to Sicily. Their fusion of a new approach to production with the ancient process of drying the grapes results in a wine that is intense and raisiny, yet fresh and balanced.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 points
Drink Date: 2023 - 2035
One of the icons of southern Italy, the 2020 Passito di Pantelleria Ben Ryé (poured from a 750-milliliter bottle) is sun-dried Zibibbo (or Muscat of Alexandria) with fruit from pre-phylloxera vines planted in wind-swept terraces on this tiny Sicilian satellite island. Fruit is sourced from across 12 contrade on this volcanic island. With an abundant 79,000 bottles made, the wine opens to a dark amber color with aromas of dried fig, white raisin, honey, brown sugar and candied fruit. This hot-vintage expression is especially sweet and thick in texture.