Score : 89/100
This Blanc de Blancs Franciacorta sparkling wine from the Lombardy region of Northern Italy is made from 80% Chardonnay. Grapes are sourced from the rolling hills of Ome (BS) that are particularly exposed and ventilated and on pebbly soil, .
After the first fermentation and 7-month resting in small stainless tanks, it was bottled for the second fermentation and aged on its lees for a long 30-month.
The dosage is one of a Brut sparkling wine.
Tasting Notes
This Blanc de Blancs Franciacorta sparkling wine comes in a bright lemon-yellow color of medium intensity, with both hints of gold and green hues making it look very shiny and appealing.
The nose also is bright and light (in a good way), very lifted by fresh lime and lemon characters. In many regards it smells like a freshly-squeezed lemon which is rather rare at this level of freshness and resemblance to the real citrus fruit aromas.
Some light vegetal tones, but nice ones, like a freshly-cut branch of acacia, are there reinforcing the freshness of the whole aromatic profile.
On the palate, there is a great dry balance driven mainly by a mineral acidity complemented by richness of citrus fruit flavors.
While the lemon smelled very fresh on the nose, the flavors appear richer and sweeter, more like a fresh-lemon liqueur, a limoncello. Some nuts are there, as well as sweet spices. But you hardly notice them clearly as the primary fruit is so intense. They do add depth, complexity, and enjoyment…
Bubbles are of medium finesse but the whole is very smooth and elegant with great approachable and elegant balance.
Quite a long finish on primary fruit notes, leesy creamy tones, and a lovely velvety texture with hints of phenolics making your mouth positively salivate and want to go for more. Always a positive sign!
This with the wine’s dryness and minerality also indicates it will pair well with any subtle food dishes.
Overall
A Franciacorta bubbly that is all about freshness of primary citrus fruit characters.
In a solid mineral and acidic dry balance, it delivers loads of lemon and lime characters, combined with the right amount of discrete vegetal tones, and elegant leesy characters from the aging on lees.
A sparkling wine many will appreciate for its approachability supported by a long finish and yes, some depth to it.
Enjoy 🙂
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