Wine
Name: Le Rive, Garganega Veronese IGT
Winery: Suavia – Tessari family
Grapes: 100% Garganega, late harvest
Origin: Fittà, Soave (Verona), Veneto, Italy
Vintage: 2021
Ageing: Fermented in French oak, about 14 months on the lees in barrique (20% new)
Appearance
Intensity: Medium
Colour: Gold
Nose
Intensity: Pronounced
Aroma Characteristics:
Primary: Dried apricot, ripe yellow apple, quince, acacia blossom, chamomile, candied citrus peel
Secondary: Toasted almond, a touch of vanilla, creamy lees notes
Tertiary: Honey and a smoky, flinty note starting to emerge
Palate
Sweetness: Off-dry (about 6 g/l), tasting almost dry thanks to the acidity
Acidity: High
Alcohol: Medium (13.5%)
Body: Full
Flavour Intensity: Pronounced
Flavour Characteristics: The nose follows through – apricot, quince, honey and toasted almond, with a saline, volcanic edge
Other Observations: Creamy texture from the lees, lifted by vibrant acidity
Finish: Long, saline and mineral
Conclusions
Quality Assessment: Outstanding. Intense, complex and perfectly balanced: the ripeness of the late harvest is held in check by a vibrant acid backbone and volcanic salinity
Bottle Ageing: Drink now, or keep: it has the structure to develop for 10+ years
Final Remarks
Proof that Garganega from the volcanic hills of Soave can rival the great whites of the world. About one hectare of very steep slopes in Fittà, farmed organically by the Tessari sisters. Critics: 95 James Suckling, 93 Wine Spectator, 92 Vinous.
