The 2005 Passito di Pantelleria Ben Ryé is a wine I know well. Although my professional reviews of this Sicilian dessert wine started with 2004, I had the opportunity to taste 2005 many times in the years to follow. When I first tasted the wine I gave it 95 points and that's exactly what I think the wine deserves today. In terms of the 2004 vintage, on the other hand, my score has diminished with time because that vintage has been less consistent in its aging evolution. This vintage remains steady and intact. It boasts a bright gold and amber color, and ripe aromatic intensity with dried peach and honey. The wine is also very successful in terms of mouthfeel where it shows a long and silky texture.

Thick, opulent and sophisticated, this amber-colored dessert wine made from sun-dried Zibibbo grapes is probably the best single export from Pantelleria, a volcanic island between Sicily and Africa. Delicate aromas of almond, apricot jam, honey, raisin and maple syrup are vibrant and absolutely irresistible. It’s impossible not to love this wine.——M.L.(2/1/2008)—— 95