Giuseppe Cipolla Le Robbe Rosso wine bottle

Giuseppe Cipolla Passofonduto Le Robbe Rosso 2023

Giuseppe Cipolla
$45.00

Grape: Nero d'Avola, Indigenous White Grapes
Vintage: 2023
Type: Red

Named for a regional term meaning goods, this red wine co-ferments nero d'avola with ancient indigenous white grapes from two distinct Sicilian contrade. The red fruit combines fifteen-year-old vines from San Vincenzo with centenarian vines from Torre di Salto d'Angiò. Giuseppe Cipolla co-ferments these parcels using manual methods in neutral concrete vats driven by native wild yeasts. Unfiltered and unadorned, this bottling showcases a rare, historic site identity.

It pours a clear ruby hue, releasing fragrant aromatics of wild cherry, raspberry, and subtle field flowers. On the palate, the light-to-medium body is fluid and precise, balancing crunchy berry fruit with a fine-grained tannin structure. Savory nuances of Mediterranean herbs and damp earth add depth across the fluid mouthfeel without feeling heavy. A bracing wave of chalky acidity cuts through the texture, maintaining great freshness. It concludes bone-dry, leaving a persistent, mouthwatering saline trace.

Giuseppe Cipolla is a natural winemaker in Sicily who produces wines under the label Passofonduto. Based on a family farm with a history of growing grains and fruits, Cipolla began focusing on winemaking in 2014, working with indigenous Sicilian grape varieties. His winery is located in the Platani Valley, near Agrigento and Caltanissetta. Cipolla's vineyards are situated on steep, terraced hillsides with mineral-rich, chalky soil that was once a source of salt and sulfur. This terroir gives his wines a profound minerality and distinct character. He farms his vineyards organically and uses traditional methods, including the alberello (bush vine) style. In the cellar, Cipolla uses natural fermentation with minimal intervention. His wines are aged in a combination of fiberglass, wood, and stainless steel.