In 1972, a freak storm destroyed the grapes meant for export at Cantina Rapino. Instead of crying over it, the Rapino family turned that disaster into an opportunity. They started making wine. It's a small family operation, and they only bottle the wine on the best vintages.
This is their Passerina from vintage 2020. A gorgeous, poised, skin contact wine. It feels like a dream of dried clementines, baked pineapple, juicy nectarine. Only 1,400 bottles produced. On the palate, it has the right amount of tannins, clinging to the inside of your cheeks. An impactful acidity that softens and becomes rounder with time.
This will take some of your time, but you should slow cook a lamb shoulder in white wine and lemons overnight, then set the table outside, or crack the window wide open, and enjoy the tenderest of that slow-braised piece with the ray of sun that is this wine.
