Score: 90/100
This white wine cuvée by Malgrà winery called “Innuce” is made from grapes grown in vineyards located in Mombaruzzo, in the Asti territory of Monferrato along the left bank of the Belbo river, at 190 m above sea level.
The Chardonnay grapes are grown on a 2-hectare vineyard (5 acres) on a soil that is prevalently composed of limestone and clay.
The wine was fermented and aged for 12 months in oak barriques (wine barrels).
Tasting Notes
This Italian Chardonnay comes in a bright and shiny lemon-yellow color, brightened and made shinier by slight gold hues. Nice to look at!
The nose feels very smooth from delicate oaky notes of hazelnut and vanilla, white chocolate too. It’s salivating just to smell at.
Leesy notes of sour dough brioche, and bright ripe lemon aromas both deepen the profile and intensify it with zesty citrus notes. Rather complex and elegant to smell!
Dry but utterly smooth palate, with crisp mineral acidity but an oily texture and rich body make it round and balanced. Delicate oak phenolics give a silky texture.
Bursting and vibrant lemon marmalade flavor dominate, well supported by the fresh acidity.
Hints of tropical dried pineapple and ripe mango complement the fruity feel and confirm we are here with a Chardonnay made from ripe grapes. Plenty of depth and length are provided by the wealth of leesy notes combined with the smooth oaky coconut that burst from the mid-palate on.
Long, slightly warm and layered finish. I regretted there was not a little more of a crispy bite to the acidity on the finish which would have brought a fresher note to the aftertaste.
Overall
A multi-facetted, elegant, balanced and very well executed Chardonnay, that somewhat feels powerful and coming from a relatively warm climate, but still filled with primary fruit vibrancy.
It shines from both fresh and jammy lemon, rounded and deepened by obvious ageing on lees in oak that have provided, with finesse, spices and baking flavors.
A summary?
Controlled, balanced, and fine, summarized in 3 words. ‘Enjoyable’, if it had to be just 1 word!
When to drink?
This is a 4-year-old Chardonnay wine already, showing positive bouquet through spices and touches of waxy honey, but still displaying great fruit vibrancy. It is excellent to drink now to enjoy these aspects and its enjoyable freshness. Drink now and preferably within 2-3 years, unless you’re looking for more curry-like spices.
Enjoy 🙂
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