Ben Ryé · Passito della Pantelleria DOC 2020

  Donnafugata's Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria is an exceptional sweet wine made from the aromatic Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria) grape variety, which thrives on the windswept island of Pantelleria in terraced Alberello vineyards. The name “Ben Ryé” is derived from the Arabic “son of the wind” - an honorary image for the constant breeze that blows over the vines, giving them freshness, precision, and their unmistakable origin. After being harvested by hand, the grapes are first sun-dried before being processed into a wine that shows a balance between lively fruit and opulent sweetness.

In the glass, Ben Ryé unfolds a warm amber to coppery yellow color - a visual promise of depth and character. On the nose, the connoisseur is greeted by a complex bouquet of sun-ripened apricots, yellow peaches, candied orange peel, and tropical nuances of mango, underpinned by a subtle hint of Mediterranean scrub. On the palate, the sweet fullness combines with a stylish freshness and minerality that lends the wine lightness and elegance. The long finish reveals honey, dried fruit, and a hint of the salty barrenness of the island terroir—a wine that not only accompanies dessert but also wants to be enjoyed in peace as a meditation wine. - Gerardo [TS10/21]