Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Issue 158, September/October 2011
di Ian d'Agata
Other wines tasted: Ose Rose Demi-Sec Sparkling Wine. (Bacco Imports, Fort Collins, CO)
2010 Tenuta Tomasella Friulano Grave: 90
Straw-gold. Clean, fresh, enticing aromas and flavors of green apple and almond, with a light petrol nuance. Brisk and fresh but not lean. Offers above-average intensity and complexity and finishes with excellent length. A very good friulano from the Grave DOC of Friuli that all too often produces overly green examples of the variety. I particularly liked this wine's balance and delivery of typical friulano aromas and flavors.
2009 Tenuta Tomasella Pinot Bianco Rigole Bianco Alto Livenza: 88
(90% pinot bianco and 10% friulano; 12.5% alcohol) Bright straw-gold. Pear, yellow apple and herbs on the ripe nose. Rich and dense, with harmonious acids framing the yellow apple and pear flavors complicated by sandalwood. Comes across as considerably fatter than the friulano, but without heaviness or loss of shape. Finishes with a nutty quality and good density and length.
2008 Tenuta Tomasella Le Bastie Bianco Friuli Grave: 88
Deep yellow-gold. Candied apricot, ginger and menthol on the nose. Rich, round and soft, with a hint of bay leaf complicating almond and yellow apple flavors. Finishes long and full, but I would have liked a little more finesse. This represents a selection of the best friulano grapes from the Le Monde vineyard, but I prefer the entry-level friulano's upfront charm, balance and freshness.
2006 Tenuta Tomasella Le Bastie Bianco Friuli Grave: 89
Yellow-gold. Spicy aromas of tropical fruits and subtle, sweet oak. Rich and densely packed, with round flavors of pear, tropical fruits, licorice and minerals, all lifted by an intriguing peppery quality. Finishes full-bodied, tactile and long.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Issue 158
September/October 2011
The Best New White Wines from Italy's Northeast
Tenute Tomasella