What kind of wine is Passito di Pantelleria 'Ben Ryé' 2023 Magnum - Donnafugata (wooden box)?

The Passito di Pantelleria 'Ben Ryé' 2023 Magnum - Donnafugata (wooden box) is a naturally sweet fortified wine, produced exclusively from Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria) grapes cultivated on the island of Pantelleria. This type of wine is made from grapes left to dry in the sun, a practice that concentrates their sugars and aromas. With a moderately high alcohol content, around 14.5%, Ben Ryé embodies the perfect synthesis of intensity and freshness, offering a unique and satisfying sensory experience. It is considered one of the greatest Italian sweet wines, capable of expressing the extraordinary volcanic and Mediterranean identity of its land of origin.

Vintage details

The 2023 vintage was characterized by a mild climate and excellent temperature fluctuations between day and night, ideal conditions for preserving the aromatic fragrance of the Zibibbo grapes. The harvest, entirely manual and staggered, took place between August and September, following the different ripening stages of the vineyards spread across eleven districts of Pantelleria. This approach allows for a complex wine that balances sweetness, acidity, and aromatic intensity.

Vinification and aging

The vinification of Ben Ryé follows a meticulous, artisanal process. Part of the grapes are dried in the sun for several weeks, while another part is vinified fresh to preserve aromas and acidity. During fermentation, the dried grapes are added to the must, gradually releasing aroma, sugar, and softness. The wine then matures for several months in steel tanks and for a period in the bottle, developing great complexity and harmony. While not a fortified wine like Port or Marsala, its sugar concentration and good alcohol content give it an extraordinary capacity for evolution over time.

Tasting notes

The Passito di Pantelleria 'Ben Ryé' 2023 Magnum - Donnafugata is a wine of great aromatic intensity, elegant and seductive, delivering emotions from the first glance to the very long finish.

Color

It presents a luminous amber color with golden reflections, which tend towards warmer, coppery hues over time. Visually, it is dense, almost velvety, a sign of concentration and body.

Nose

On the nose, it offers a very rich and complex bouquet: dried apricot, dates, candied orange peel, honey, figs, and floral notes of orange blossom and Mediterranean scrub. With evolution, more complex tones of hazelnut, sweet spices, and balsamic hints emerge.

Palate

On the palate, it is sweet but well-balanced by a lively freshness and a very slight savory note. The sip is full, harmonious, and persistent, with a finish reminiscent of dried fruit and citrus. The Magnum version enhances the wine's ability to evolve over time, ensuring greater balance and depth.

Food pairings for Passito di Pantelleria 'Ben Ryé' 2023 Magnum - Donnafugata (wooden box)

This Passito is extraordinary on its own, as a meditation wine, but it also pairs perfectly with various desserts and cheeses:

• Almond-based desserts or pistachio paste;
• Dry pastries and fruit tarts;
• Blue cheeses such as sweet Gorgonzola or Roquefort, which create an irresistible sweet-savory contrast;
• Foie gras for a refined and surprising pairing.

Served slightly chilled, around 14°C, it fully expresses its aromatic complexity.

Storage and aging: how to store Passito di Pantelleria 'Ben Ryé' 2023 Magnum - Donnafugata (wooden box)

Thanks to its sugar content and high alcohol level, the Passito di Pantelleria 'Ben Ryé' 2023 Magnum - Donnafugata is naturally suited for long-term storage. If kept in a cool, dark place with a constant temperature (around 12-16°C), it can evolve positively for over ten years, developing increasingly refined aromas.

The wooden box not only makes it an elegant gift idea but also helps preserve its optimal condition over time. Once opened, the bottle of wine can be stored in the refrigerator, tightly sealed, for several weeks without losing its aromatic intensity.