Villa Bucci, Verdicchio Classico Riserva Single Bottle
Country: Italy Region: Marche
Varietal: Verdicchio Vintage: 2017
Category: White Wine Style: Dry
Producer: Villa Bucci
"Ampelio Bucci has 31 hectares of vineyard on his 400 hectare estate, which is cultivated organically. Of these, five hectares are Montepulciano and Sangiovese for Rosso Piceno and 26 hectares are Verdicchio, spread over five separate vineyards. The old vines and low yields (he gets 7-8 tonnes per hectare, against the 14 permitted by DOC regulations) give wines of great intensity.
The Verdicchio, fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, is bottled in the July after the vintage, as legendary consulting enologist Giorgio Grai feels that the structure of the wines means that they require longer ageing prior to bottling. It has lovely purity, good depth and superb complexity on the palate.
The Riserva, made from 50 year old vines, is fermented in stainless steel and then aged for about 18 months in large (50 and 75 hectolitre) Slovenian oak barrels. It is nutty and smoky, with superb richness and a silky texture. It is, quite simply, one of Italy's great white wines."
Product Features: Certified Organic; Sustainable; Vegan; Vegetarian
Winemaker: Giorgio Grai
Vineyards:
The Riserva is only produced in the best vintages with fruit from the oldest vines (between 40 and 50 years old on average) and the best sites. There are six vineyards with different exposures and elevations to obtain more complexity in the final blend of each wine. Yields are kept low and vineyard management is certified organic with no herbicides or pesticides used. Soils are mainly calcareous (limestone), giving minerality to the wine, with around 30% clay, which retains moisture during the hot summers.
Vinification:
Vinification takes place in the underground winery, which is naturally cool so refrigeration is generally not necessary. Vinification takes place in stainless steel and Slovenian oak barrels of between 50 and 75 hectolitres, that are approximately 70 years old. Different vineyard parcels are vinified separately, aged for two years and then carefully blended before bottling.
Tasting Notes:
An intense, complex and persistent bouquet of apricot compôte and spice with aromas of honey, beeswax, minerals and flint stone. Full bodied and with great depth, the wine finishes with hints of honey and nuts.
Food Suggestion: Enjoy with white meat in rich, creamy sauces.
Closure: Natural Cork ABV: 13.5% Acidity [g/l]: 6
