Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Contrada PC comes from Passochianche, a minuscule Chardonnay parcel on steep, labor-intensive terraces immediately above the main Passopisciaro estate. The 2023 material places it at 870–1,000 m above sea level, while the general wine description gives a range of 870–950 m. Planting density is 12,300 vines per hectare.
The volcanic soil was formed approximately 15,000 years ago. It is post-elliptic and pyroclastic in origin, with abundant rock formations. Precision viticulture and separate monitoring of ripening within individual parcels allow different portions to be harvested and vinified independently.
Grapes
100% Chardonnay.
Vinification
In 2023 the grapes ripened unevenly and were picked manually between 1 and 15 September, with careful selection of the best bunches. They were transported to the cellar at low temperature.
Thirty percent of the crop underwent pre-fermentation maceration in stainless-steel vats for approximately 24 hours at 10°C. The balance was gently pressed as whole clusters. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations took place in large Slavonian oak casks, followed by a short passage in cement.
The broader winemaking protocol describes destemming, a 12-hour cold soak, pressing and alcoholic fermentation in neutral oak barrels no larger than 20 hl. Natural malolactic fermentation follows in barrel.
Ageing
The 2023 wine matured for 10 months on its fine lees in large Slavonian oak casks, with a short passage in cement. Under the general protocol, the wine is racked off the gross lees and returned to the same large barrels, remaining on fine lees for at least six months. Fining and bottling follow the waning-moon cycle, in June and July respectively, and the wine is not filtered. A further year of bottle ageing allows it to develop its intended richness and potential.
Technical data
The 2023 production amounted to 4,754 bottles, bottled on 24 July 2024. Downy mildew and difficult flowering reduced the crop by 60%, resulting in exceptionally low yields.
Tasting profile
Contrada PC 2023 is mineral, savoury and vibrant. Its pronounced, complex bouquet combines white-skinned summer fruit, citrus and bread-crust notes. The palate is notably balanced and concludes with a long, persistent finish.
A blind tasting published on the vintage page describes a medium-lemon appearance, herbal notes recalling tarragon and chive, ripe lemon citrus, dense ripe fruit and bright acidity, with an additional sorghum-syrup nuance bringing complexity to the finish.
Vintage notes
Winter 2023 brought unusually heavy snowfall to vineyards above 800 m, replenishing water reserves after the drought of 2022. Spring remained dry and mild until early May, after which heavy rain and low temperatures continued through June and disrupted flowering. Organic treatments could not fully contain downy mildew, which particularly affected earlier-ripening varieties. July then brought record heat, with repeated temperatures of 40°C.
The resulting phenological delay moved the Chardonnay harvest back to 1–15 September. Uneven ripening made manual harvesting and bunch selection central to preserving fruit quality. Production fell by 60%, although the surviving crop produced wine of strong quality.
Label / history
Contrada PC grew out of progressively detailed observation of Passopisciaro’s Chardonnay parcels. As the vines matured, small areas began to reveal distinct ripening patterns and personalities, leading to separate harvesting and vinification even within a single parcel. First produced in 2018, the wine expresses one minute section of Passochianche and is conceived as a mountain Chardonnay with long ageing potential.
