2018 Bastianich 'Vigne Orsone' Pinot Grigio Colli Orientali del Fruili

Winemaker Notes: The Bastianich winery, founded in 1997, strives to understand the history and culture of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and take it to a new level. They create unique wines that speak of place but, at the same time, show remarkable power and balance. Vespa Bianco and Vespa Rosso are named after the ever-present wasps attracted to ripe grapes. These blends are made in an area known for single-varietal wines, shifting the focus from the grape to the terroir. Calabrone, which means hornet, is an estate reserve red blend made only in the best vintages with hand-destemmed, partially dried fruit, and is released 5 years after the vintage. Native varieties, such as Tocai Friulano, are unblended to showcase the uniqueness of the grape. The pinnacle of this being Tocai Plus, a particularly complex example made with late-harvest and dried fruit from a single-vineyard of 60 year-old vines.

Tasting Notes: Pinot Grigio by Bastianich is a well-rounded and fresh white wine with good mineral and acidic structure, aged in steel tanks. The nose offers pleasant notes of ripe apple and pear with floral hints. The taste has good freshness with good persistence.