2020 Cantina Terlano, Pinot Bianco Vorberg Riserva $57

Winery Info: Cantina Terlano (Kellerei Terlan, in German) is located in the Dolomite mountains in northern Italy’s Alto Adige region, or Südtirol (South Tryol) to the local German speakers.   

Founded in 1893 in the village of Terlan, they are one of the most respected and acclaimed cooperatives in Italy, with a current membership of 143 growers. Terlano has always ensured the highest standards by compensating their growers for the quality of their grapes rather than the quantity. Their wines have been awarded multiple tre bicchiere (three-glasses, the highest possible) from the acclaimed Italian wine guide, Gambero Rosso, including for this wine.

Grapes: 100% Pinot Bianco, fermented slowly in large, 30-hectoliter barrels. It undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged on the lees in barrel for 12 months.

Vineyard: Their vineyards are perfectly situated on steep, south-facing slopes, where the grapes are able to ripen fully. The porphyry rocks retain the daytime warmth, and the porous soil ensures optimum drainage to encourage the roots to grow deep into the mineral-rich soil.

Flavor Profile: Elegant, complex, and beautifully structured, with aromas and flavors of ripe pear, white peach, apple, and notes and lingering spice and nuts. The creamy flavors are perfectly balanced by its flinty minerality. A beautiful expression of Pinot Bianco.

Availability: This vintage is in relatively limited supply.

Drinking Window: Beautiful now or over the next five years or so.

Food Pairing: The winery suggests mussels (either with spaghetti allo scoglio or au gratin), grilled ink fish, or poached char. Or, for a more complex option, spiced lobster and grilled white asparagus with pancetta sauce and roasted pistachio nuts.

2019 Paolo e Lorenzo Marchionni a Vigliano, L’Erta, Poggio Della Bruna, $35

Winery Info: Brothers Paolo and Lorenzo Marchionni grew up in the Italian village of Vigliano in the Chianti Colli Fiorentini subzone, bordering Florence. Although their parents were both medical professionals, the sons preferred to hang out with the local farmers and they began making wine in 1993, when they were just 16 and 20 years old. By 1997 they had produced nearly 2,000 bottles of L’Erta Rosso, and they began marketing their wine two years later. Today Paolo manages the estate, along with Lorenzo who also has a law practice. They have been certified organic since 2011. “L’Erta” is their flagship wine, selected row by row from their best grapes and produced only in exceptional vintages.

Grapes: 100% Sangiovese. Aged 14 to 18 months in various sizes and ages of barrel.

Vineyard: From a single vineyard with stony, sandy, clay limestone soil.

Flavor Profile: Very stylish, well structured, and elegant, with deep flavors of black cherry and earthy aromas of wild mushrooms and damp earth. With subtle notes of barrel toast and balanced tannins.

Availability: This vintage is in decent supply for now.

Drinking Window: This wine is ready to enjoy now or over the next few years.

Food Pairing: It would pair perfectly with classic Tuscan beef.