DONNAFUGATA Passito di Pantelleria 'Ben Rye' - Pantelleria, Sicily 2021 HALF (los)

Description

IN BRIEF
Donnafugata passito di Pantelleria 'Ben Ryé' 2021 is a remarkable Moscato Passito from the island of Pantelleria, closer to Africa than Sicily. This exceptional wine is made from pre-phylloxera Zibibbo grapes grown in wind-swept terraces, with fruit sourced from 12 contrade on the volcanic island. The Wine Advocate awarded it 94 points, noting aromas of dried fig, honey, and candied fruit, along with a sweet, thick texture. Vinous also rated it 94 points, highlighting its bouquet of sweet smoke, tangerine, and clove, while the palate showcases ripe orchard fruits and tropical melon. Both James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast awarded 93 points, praising its vibrant flavours of apricot jam and stone fruit, making it one of Italy's top dessert wines.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT

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.

VINOUS 94 points
Drinking Window 2023 - 2030
From: Surpassing Expectations: New Releases from Sicily (Sep 2023)
The 2021 Ben Ryé is a total pleasure, seducing with a bouquet that mixes sweet smoke with tangerine, mint leaf and clove. Like pure nectar on the palate, this envelopes all it touches in texturally ripe orchard fruits and tropical melon. Sweet spices and sour citrus add contrast toward the close. It finishes spicy and long, leaving a dusty inner floral sensation and hints of candied ginger and lime. Ben Ryé is always a total pleasure and, in my opinion, one of the top dessert wines produced in Italy. This varietal Zibibbo finishes at 197 grams of residual sugar per liter. - By Eric Guido on June 2023

JAMES SUCKLING 93 points
A vibrant passito full of sweetness. On the nose it shows iodine, pine resin, dates, apricot jam, seaweed and candied oranges. Full-bodied and sweet on the palate, with date and apricot flavors, juicy acidity and a well-balanced finish. Super sweet and concentrated. Drink or hold.

WINE ENTHUSIAST 93 points
This wine is light copper in both color and aroma, as yellow peaches and dried apricots play with varied orange notes on the nose. On the palate, the stone fruit and citrus continue glowing, before a warm, honeyed, almost syrupy finish that recalls a beeswax candle. — Danielle Callegari

DECANTER 91 points
Tasted by: James Button
(at Sicila En Primeur Tasting, Taormina, 12 May 2023)
Drinking Window: 2023 - 2043
Made from Zibibbo grapes which have dried in the sun for 20 days to concentrate the flavours and sugars, added to fresh must, this naturally sweet wine (200g/l) bursts from the glass with scents of orange blossom and marmalade. In the mouth it's intense and juicy, floral and very fresh with round, silky marmalade and citrus peel flavours. Lacks complexity, but that should come with age.