13 wines in total, all cask samples.
Featuring 9 of the association producers – Di Gaspero, Zani, Macor, Mosolo, Accordini, Ronc dai Luchis, Celedoni, Perabo’, Sot La Mont.
*Ronc dai Luchis provided 3 samples, Macor & Sot La Mont provided 2 each and the remaining 6 cellars provided 1 sample each.
*All wines tasted Blind.

It was a top vintage for all of Friuli’s reds. With the extended ripening window that opened up from end September to mid October ’16, reaching phenolic maturity in the vineyard was not an issue. Ripe fruit. So how are the early indicators showing right now? In colourful terms, they’re all lively ruby’s running to violet rims, with two samples in particular offering deeper intensity. On the nose, setting aside the youthful vinous charateristics, floral & red fruit notes prevail which carry through to the palate. Indeed these floral notes are a trump card that sets Refosco di Faedis apart from other Refoschi. So too, as we learned, is its usually recognizable acidity. Interestingly though, as a general observation across the wines we tasted, the #V16 acidity didn’t quite sit up as high as we’d expected. That said, the tannins are working to underpin the freshness that is there. All these wines are young reserves that must spend a minimum of 2 years ageing (minimum 18 months in the barrel). So there’s still everything for each producer to play for. It’ll be good to touch base again with this vintage in a years time.

9 wines in total, all cask samples.
To update and evaluate the current evolutionary path of this vintage.
*Featuring 7 association producers – Di Gaspero, Macor, Mosolo, Perabo’, Zani, Ronc dai Luchis and Sot La Mont.
*Di Gaspero & Sot La Mont provided 2 samples each and the remaining 5 cellars provided 1 sample each.
*Again all wines were tasted Blind.

In a rapid fire tasting control, our buds next encountered the 9 samples from the 2015 selection. This means these reds have already passed a year in oak. How are they evolving ? Answer: Very nicely. #V15 was also a quality vintage in Friuli with summer sun, an even distribution of rainfall and desirable day/night temperatures swings. The harvest itself started a little earlier than #V16. Immediately you feel the enhanced structure of these wines. And we don’t see it as just an age thing. They’re more decisive across the board with the grapes signature brighter, more lively acidity shining through. Tannins are active too, again in their supportive role. These will soften & smooth out. Medium weights that are enjoying increasing balance, developing structure, with spice and evolutionary notes already coming to the fore in some. Yep, #V15 is in good shape. Again it’s early days for the #V15’s, but we could already feel tasty potential in the offerings from Ronc Dai Luchis, Di Gaspero, Mosolo & Zani.