Balciana Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi

The 2020 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Balciana is a deep golden color in the glass. It opens with a delicate bouquet that blends opulent ripe peach and custard notes with refining hints of lemon oil and crushed stone. It’s silky and enveloping, elegance to the extreme. Tropical citrus elevates the ripe orchard fruits, and a salty mineral core adds tremendous depth. Long, long, long, the 2020 lingers on, youthfully tense, with a staining of tart citrus rind and minty herbs that resonate. The ripeness of the vintage shows through, yet Sartarelli has managed to pack this with gobs of balancing tension. (Eric Guido, Vinous, May 2024)

Classic, clean Verdicchio. Slightly sweet mid-palate, but the good acidity balances it out nicely.

Funky and awesome.

Oxidizes hazelnut and burnt

Sartarelli, Balciana 2006

Sartarelli, Balciana 2006 Verrdicchio

Spring 2020. As expected, this was totally distinct among Verdicchio - with a big nose of bitter almond, yellow flowers and stone, the aromas don’t come across as overripe, but there is a bit of noticeable alcohol. That continues on the palate, which also manages to feel “alkaline”, and is intense and bone dry. I liked it, and it’s very interesting, but not something I want to drink every day.

Best verdicchio I've had. Full-flavored, really smooth, balanced. Honeyed?

Mineral overtones and finish, creamy in the mid-palate and all the better for it. Citrus, herbs, good acidity. Heat on the finish.

noble rot!