The 2012 Contrada S is a silky wine with a high dose of simpatia that creeps up on you slowly. Contrada Sciaranuova (hence the "S") is a high altitude vineyard located inside a valley made by a relatively new lava flows. The soil consists of volcanic soil with flaky carbon, gravel and pumice. The wine shows depth and great balance with wild berries, back current, smoke and grilled herb. Of Franchetti's single vineyard wines, this is the most direct and smooth in delivery. Like all the other IGT Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese wines in this series, Contrada S is aged in botte grande for 18 months. This allows for a slow and steady evolution.