Already low-yielding, the Franchetti family's 100-year-old vines on the active Mount Etna volcano produced an even smaller crop in 2023. As is often the case, however, what causes hardship to the vines results in pure joy in the bottle!

We bring this beautiful 94-Point Etna Rosso to you today for a price that beats every online listing we could find. Read on for the details, and for a thrilling 98-Point Etna Bianco from Girolamo Russo, then hit that Big Green Button to grab 'em both!

2023 Passopisciaro "Passorosso" Etna Rosso
Sicily, Italy
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Twenty-six years ago, the late Tuscan wine legend Andrea Franchetti made a gamble on one of the most romantic and challenging regions on the planet. Perched higher than any major wine region of Europe, on the most freshly volcanic of all the wine world's soils, his 70 to 100 year old Mount Etna vines are now tended to by his son Benjamin, and they have achieved greatness.

His vivid, achingly pretty 2023 Passorosso offers dazzling minerality highlighted by notes of cranberry, freshly turned soil, orange zest, sun-kissed raspberries and sweet spice.

Since taking over from his father, Benjamin's approach has included shorter macerations with less pump overs to yield gentler extractions. The payoff is a charming and deeply compelling red that is already in perfect harmony. The refined structure resonates for minutes.

Immediately inviting, our sample bottle continued to positively evolve over a period of four days. Drinking like a hypothetical convergence of a sandy-soiled Châteauneuf, a Dundee Hills Pinot Noir and a La Morra Barolo, this 100% Nerello Mascalese earns 92+ Points on our highly ungenerous scale. Awarding 94 Points, Dunnuck's review captures the essence of this wine extremely well...

“The 2023 Etna Rosso Passorosso is designed not as an entry wine but to represent the totality of what the vintage has to offer. It opens with pretty and mineral-driven notes of dusty earth, savory, peppery spice, ripe raspberries, and orange. Medium-bodied, it has fine tannins, a zesty lift of orange peel, and notes of cranberries and smoky earth. Drink 2025-2037.”
          - 94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (10/16/2025)

"Fruity and leathery with aromatic depth, showing ripe blackberries and strawberries. This has medium body and firm, crisp acidity that’s almost sour. Despite the youthfulness, chewy and slightly chalky tannins are polished in the finish. Drink or hold 
    - 93 Points, James Suckling (6/6/2025)

Looking online we found seven listings with a median of $45. Our price beats them all. Impressively, our price on this wine is actually a buck less than it was a decade ago!

Vin Chicago Price: 34.99

The Best Etna Bianco EVER?

2023 Girolamo Russo "San Lorenzo" Etna Bianco
Sicily, Italy
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Over the past fifteen years, James Suckling and his team have reviewed a total of 508 white wines from the slopes of Sicily's Mount Etna. Only one has matched the wine we offer today, and none have exceeded it.

Giuseppe Russo is at the forefront of what is possible with white grapes on the northern slopes of Etna. Considered by many to be among the “Grand Cru” of the volcano, San Lorenzo vineyard is one of Etna's coolest, highest elevation sites. Predominantly Carricante, his 2023 is pure terroir, seeing no new oak barrels. Immediately and shockingly delicious, it is the greatest Etna Bianco we’ve ever tasted.

Exotic tones are highlighted by alluring, unctuous aromas of white peach brulée, pineapple, papaya and orange blossom honey. The flavor profile could suggest Condrieu or Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, but even those wines are not as honed with rapier acidity and glorious minerality.

“A white Etna that’s full of detail and fruit concentration with sleek minerality. Candied cedar and smoke, together with bright yellow peach pulp soaked in lemon zest. Full body with weight and firm, long acidity. The texture is silky and not flabby, with a lively finish full of chewy citrus and peachy details. Super length and persistency. This is a reference point for Etna. Ready to drink now, but will age consistently for 5 to 10 years.”
          - 98 Points, James Suckling (7/29/2024) 

Truly, this is wonderful. Just a few cases available.

Vin Chicago Price: 67.79