Ben Ryé 2009, the most-awarded Sicilian wine

Donnafugata’s Passito di Pantelleria gets honors from the most prestigious Italian and foreign wine guides, confirming itself as champion of heroic viticulture.

Ben Ryé is again one of the Sicilian and Italian wines getting the most critical acclaim: the 2009 vintage of the “Son of the Wind” is one of the most highly praised ever, confirming its status as the champion of heroic viticulture.

The top Italian and foreign wine guides and magazines for 2012 give superlative ratings to Donnafugata’s Ben Ryé, positioning this naturally sweet wine among history’s greats. Among its rich collection of awards are Tre Bicchieri from Gambero Rosso (“literally enchanting”), a 94/100 rating from Wine Spectator (“A terrific, electric passito”), another 94/100 from Guida ai Migliori Vini d’Italia (“balance and richness out of the common”) and a 93/100 from Wine Advocate (“an extroverted Ben Ryé full of character”).

Opinions and ratings extolling a wine that is a symbol of the Sicilian winery. “The 2009 Ben Ryé,” says José Rallo, co-owner of Donnafugata, “is a perfect marriage between the extreme nature of the island of Pantelleria and the right agronomic and enological decisions. In addition, the 2009 reaped the benefits of longer bottle refinement, about 18 months, which has enabled it to fully exalt the exceptional quality of the grapes, fruit of a particularly fine year on Pantelleria”.

The result is a Ben Ryé 2009 distinctive for harmony and elegance: to the nose it opens with intense notes of apricot, figs, dates, candied citrus fruits and Mediterranean maquis. In the mouth its sweetness is perfectly sustained by vibrant freshness and minerality. Its aromatic persistence is extremely long. It is a wine of great complexity, icon of Pantelleria’s heroic viticulture.

Ben Ryé 2009: The awards

Wine Spectator – 94/100 pts

“A terrific, electric passito, with syrupy layers of Turkish apricot, dates, candied citrus zest and lemon drops that remain focused and concentrated through the almond skin– and tobacco-tinged finish. Complex, with excellence length.” Zibibbo. Drink now through 2019. 500 cases imported.—N.W. – December 15, 2011

Vini d’Italia Gambero Rosso – Tre Bicchieri

“Antonio Rallo’s choice to leave Ben Ryé aging one year more in the cellar has been a rewarding one. The Tre Bicchieri has paied tribute to the 2009 version of this extraordinary passito wine, liter-ally enchanting: amber with sparkling golden glints, deep and com-plex to the nose, with scents of figs, dates, candied orange and fresh notes of anise and lavender; to the palate is luscious, sensual, persistent, sweet and enriched by a vibrating acid vein, coherent and very long in its crystal finish.”

Duemilavini AIS Bibenda – Cinque Grappoli

“Dopo un anno di attesa ritroviamo un Ben Ryé in forma esemplare, a dir poco emozionante, in grado di far innamorare tutti; è una gioia “ascoltarlo” nel bicchiere, un brivido di piacere assaggiarlo”

Vini d’Italia D’Agata & Comparini – 94/100 pt

“What to say of this wine – every year a confirmation. This vintage seems to be one of best 3 or 4 ever, with a balance and a richness out of the common. Extraordinary indeed how Donnafugata is able to uncover gifts of unexpected elegance in the Muscat of Alexandria grape, also known as Zibibbo, that generally do not shine for this quality. Its color is between gold and amber, extraordinarily bright. To the nose we expect charming, multi-faceted and clear scents starting with apricot, candied orange zest, figs, orange blossom, aromatic and Mediterranean herbs of the island. The mouth is filled with sweetness and a perfect marriage of mellowness and olfactory sensations. All supported by an acid and savoury vein masterly balancing the sweet side. The aromatic persistence is never-ending and unfailing.” – Ian D’Agata

Slow Wine di Slow Food Editore – Grande Vino

“Intense, fine and endowed with persistence and great freshness, the Passito di Pantelleria Ben Ryé, a true Great Wine.”

Wine Advocate – 93/100 pts.

“The 2009 Ben Rye bursts from the glass with an exciting array of tangerine blossoms, sage, flowers of all sorts, candied orange peel and burnt sugar. Everything comes together beautifully in this explosive wine that lives up to its reputation as one of Italy’s most pedigreed dessert wines. The 2009 is an extroverted Ben Rye full of character. Marzipan and pistachios are among the sensations that linger on an evocative finish full of Mediterranean intrigue. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.” – Antonio Galloni – #195 June 2011

Vini di Veronelli – Super TreStelle Blu 94/100 pt.

“It is one year we have been waiting for them, but now they are back: Mille e una Notte 2007 and Ben Ryé 2009 great Sicilian wines, without any doubt.” Gigi Brozzoni

Public Relations:

Baldo M. Palermo [email protected] tel. 0039 0923 7242267

Laura Ellwanger [email protected] te. 0039 0923 724258