Funnari' Mimmo Paone 2023
The "Funnari" by Mimmo Paone is an intense red wine made from Nero d’Avola grown on the hills of Messina, vinified in steel and aged in barrique for 12 months. On the nose, it is rich and Mediterranean, with hints of roots, sweet spices, balsamic herbs, dried flowers, and cherries. On the palate, it is round, soft, velvety, fresh and flavorful
“Funnari” is the name that Mimmo Paone has given to his Nero D’Avola, perhaps due to its proximity to the municipality of Furnari in Messina or perhaps as a whimsical touch from the entrepreneur. This remains the only enigma of the bottle, clear and didactic starting from the handwritten label that carefully describes everything that is essential to know about this red wine and its land. It seems that the Paone family, which has been passing down winemaking traditions from father to son for about 70 years, wanted to share before anyone else what they intend to convey through this bottle, what to find in it, how to think about it, and how to taste it. The vast vineyard of this winery opens up between the Niceto valley and the hills that precede the Peloritani Mountains, where the climate is warm with mild winters.
The Nero D’avola “Funnari” is a red that takes root in rich and draining soils, whose composition includes clay, silt, and sand. The vines overlook the Mediterranean Sea, concentrating all the marine and solar nuances of this land. The grapes are meticulously cared for and then brought to the winery, where they are pressed and then undergo a maceration followed by red winemaking at strictly controlled temperatures.meticulously and then brought to the winery, where they are pressed and then undergo a maceration followed by red winemaking at strictly controlled temperatures. It is finally matured and elevated for 12 months in small oak barrels, which give it personality and character, but above all longevity so that its life is long and intense.
The red wine “Funnari,” as Mimmo Paone recounts, clarifies that whoever will care for this “child” outside the parental walls must serve it at cellar temperature, so that it can tell and retell itself in its best condition. With a very deep garnet color, it presents hints of the distinct elegance typical of Nero D’Avola, reminiscent of the intense red fruit of plum, the more mature notes of chocolate and tobacco. The sip is warm and welcoming with a soft and balanced tannin, powerful yet clean. It should be allowed to breathe for a long time before serving and poured with care, Paone is particularly keen on this, to the point of putting his signature on it.