Score: 89/100
Musso is a famous winery located in the village of Barbaresco in the Piedmont wine region of Italy.
Their iconic wines include a series of single vineyard Barbaresco wines made of the Nebbiolo grape, but they also produce a variety of more affordable beverages showcasing the diversity Piedmont has to offer: Langhe Nebbiolo, Dolcetto d’Alba, Roero Arneis, Barbera d’Alba to name but a few, and the Langhe Chardonnay reviewed here.
The Barbaresco area is obviously mainly famous for its red wines, but in the late seventies and early eighties, many local wineries started planting some white varietals to add diversity to their range. They found that Chardonnay adapts very well in the Barbaresco soil becoming the most popular white variety.
Musso’s Chardonnay comes from a vineyard called “Pora” built on soil where the white limestone stands out. Planted on a west- and southwest-facing slope, it benefits from an excellent exposure to the sun.
The grapes are hand-picked, and the must fermented in stainless steel tank, then aged on its lees for 5 months, no contact oak barrels here.
So how good is 2015 Musso Langhe Chardonnay?
Tasting Notes
The wine comes in a bright lemon-yellow color of medium intensity, with delicate green hues. It looks youthful.
The nose is rather intense, with plenty of tropical fruit notes (mango is the dominant one, a touch of pineapple) and citrus (lemon, slightly grape fruity). Powerful and tempting, it smells very fruity, almost sweet, from confit fruit characters.
Some leesy creamy and biscuit scents complement the aromatic profile giving it a nice elegant salivating feel, like a buttery cake filled with tropical fruit goodness.
The mouthfeel happens to be even more flattering. It does have an overall dry fell with good acidity, and just a touch of perceived sweetness.
But again, the richness of the fruit character make it feel luscious.
Very good balance between freshness, a tiny touch of vegetal, the fruit and buttery notes but the oaky type, the subtle discrete ones.
Oily texture, slightly bitter and salty towards the end of the palate underline a finish almost on the savory side which is welcomed after so much fruit, and makes the goal of tempting you for another sip.
Overall
An extremely well-made Chardonnay that displays all the richness and tropical lusciousness that grape can offer, but keeping it refreshing and elegant, perfectly balanced, approachable and easy to drink.
No heaviness, just sheer goodness and friendliness. Good to drink on its own or to enjoy on tapas, cured meats, seafood and entrees.
Enjoy 🙂
Wine & Food Pairing
Pizza Bianca or Gorgonzola Cheese
Find out more about the producing Azienda and more wine reviews at Musso winery profile:
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