I Clivi - Friulano Galea 2021 (750ml)
Price: $52.99
| Producer | I Clivi |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Friuli-Venezia Giulia |
| Varietal | Friulano |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Sku | 202313 |
| Size | 750ml |
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I Clivi Description
The character of a winemaker can be seen in their wines. Mario Zanusso is a ferociously intelligent, thoughtful wine producer with a deceptively calm, low-key demeanor when you first meet him; it is only as you talk to him that his passion for his work, and his deep understanding of it, emerge. I find his wines strike you just as he does; it takes a little time for them to show their stuff, but they are brilliantly made. They are restrained, energetic, and finally expressive and deeply rewarding.
Ferdinando Zanusso, Mario’s late father, who founded I Clivi, said 'My idea was to let history speak through the wine, by making as “transparent” a wine as possible, in which soil, climate and tradition may come fully through and be perceived without interferences. A wine truly grown, whose character is shaped entirely in the vineyard by soil, climate and vines and is in no way altered in the cellar, a wine that stands solely on itself, on its own intrinsic qualities, and is not made to suffer any intervention or “improvement”. In short, purest terroir expression, “without addition or diminishing”. The recipe is organic cultivation in the vineyard, with naturally low yields which seldom reach 20 hectolitres per hectare, and spontaneous, non-interventionist winemaking to ensure absolute integrity.’
Mario has followed his father’s philosophy, though continues to tweak his winemaking practices as he gains experience. The grapes they grow, mostly native to Friuli, include the varieties Ribolla Gialla, Friulano (formerly known as Tocai Friulano), Malvasia Istriana, Verduzzo (made as dry wine, which is unusual), Schioppetino, and a little Cabernet Franc, which has so acclimatized to this corner of Italy that it's practically native. All of the wines are grown organically, and are cleanly but very naturally made, expressive, distinctive and mouthwatering.
“Galea” is a single vineyard on Gramogliano Hills, Corno di Rosazzo, Province of Udine, along the Slovenian Border. Planted with 70 years old vines.
Tasting Note: Earthy, deep, terroir-driven classic old-school blend. Almonds, sun-burned stones, honey, anise.
Vinous: 93 Points
The 2021 Galea Bianco wafts up with a seductive blend of dried flowers, incense, cardamom and vanilla custard. Soothingly round yet lifted and refined, this floods the palate with ripe orchard fruits balanced by tactile mineral tones and ginger hints. The 2021 finishes lightly structured, spicy and long, leaving the mouth watering as hints of flinty peach slowly fade. This elegant beauty is built for the cellar.
The Galea Bianco is a blend of 90% Tocai Giallo (Friulano) and 10% Verduzzo.
