2019 Luccarelli Bianco Salento

Producer: Luccarelli

Grape: 80 % Chardonnay 20% Malvasia

Region: Puglia

Zone: IGT of Puglia

Producer Info:

Luccarelli wines are crafted in a large, ultra-modern facility called Terre di Sava, in the village of Sava, which is a stone’s throw from the town of Manduria – the heart of the Primitivo di Manduria zone.

The ancient vines are tended by farmer-owners and average 80 years old, planted in the iron-rich Terrarossa soils with calcareous bedrock, and trained in the traditional Albarello. In fact many of those growers are as old as their vineyards and the winery has gradually been purchasing the best plots from these old farmers, in order to maintain their investment in the land and ensure the source of their best fruit. Vines this old don’t need to worry about hot, dry summers – the extensive root structure penetrates far enough down that the vines can ripen during the summer without experiencing water-stress.

Tasting note: Deep and plump smelling, some lees creaminess, yellow stonefruit. But it’s all about the taste: excellent weight and intensity, pith and peel and creaminess, tight and really lip-smacking fruit. The fruit lasts long on the palate in a refreshing, primal, unaffected way. Can’t think of an Aussie or New Zealand white now I’d want to drink at this price. But I would buy this. 90/100 Tim White, The Financial Review

Growing System: Guyot

Production: Stainless Steel fermented which is then aged for 4-6 months in stainless steel tanks.

Alcohol (%) 12.5%

Wine Review:

“Spicy, mineral, a sort of pear/apple fruit and floral too. You might think it’s fat and round, but then controlling lemony acid brings it back to feeling lean – a wine of contrasts. There’s some orange, dried herb and fennel flavours in there too – especially on the finish which features just a tweak of bitterness. Toothsome good value. The score? Don’t think any will complain about my rating, and indeed, some may find it churlish – but this is a wine made for drinking, not scoring. Recommended. Drink : 2011 – 2015″ 90pts – Gary Walsh The Wine Front