2017 Il Carpino Ribolla Gialla

Friuli is situated high up in the north of Italy along the border with Slovenia, and is one of the most exciting and adventurous regions for wine production. ‘Vini macerati di Friuli’, the macerated wines of Friuli, are made using extended contact on skins which are essentially white wines made like red wine. This ancient process was made new again and brought back into vogue in the late 90s by Josko Gravner (and others) who began searching for ways to make wines of the region more individual. Many of the local varieties such as Ribolla Gialla respond extremely well to extended skin contact, unleashing layers of texture and phenolic richness, along with their signature amber/orange colour.

Il Carpino sits on Friuli Venezia-Giulia’s winemaking ‘Golden Strip’ alongside their closest neighbours, Gravner and Radikon. Today they farm 40 acres of vineyards planted on calcareous sandstone-rich soil famous in the region for fine wine production. Il Carpino are located at a higher altitude than most in the region, and their wines embody the energy and fragrance this positioning grants them. Their flagship wine is their Ribolla Gialla which spends 60 days on skins before being racked off into large Slavonian botti for 2 years, with an additional 2 years in bottle before it hits the market.
Bright straw colour with amber tinged edges and a watery hue. Lifted spicy ripe pear, dried apple and honeycomb like notes are trailed by notions of quince and almond. Texturally full the palate features a mix of ripe pear, blood orange and honeycomb flavours which overlay a spicy almond back drop. Finishes very dry with tangy acidity and a well rounded, lingering spicy almond aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13%