2016 Cantina Fradiles Vitivinicola, Funtanafrisca, White Wine, Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Sardinia, Italy.
The brilliantly golden yellow Funtanafrisca IGT vino bianco is a white wine from Isola dei Nuraghi from rare native grapes almost exclusively found here in the southern part of Sardinia, with this vintage showing a beautiful maturity right now as it enters its peak drinking window with lovely orchard stone fruits, including apricot at its core, delicate spices, wet saline infused stones, dried tropical fruits, white flowers, golden fig and tangerine citrus notes. This white, made from local varietals, comes from vineyards in the municipal territory of Atzara, a hilly area, that rises steeply up to almost 500 meters above sea level, on the western of the Gennargentu mountains, which sees a nice alpine like cooling during the growing season, making for nicely balanced wines, like this Funtanafrisca, that shows lots of vibrant natural acidity and mineral tones. The all stainless steel fermented and aged Fradiles Funtanafrisco bianco is a blend of Nuragus and Vernaccia, both of which are distinctly and exclusively found on Sardinia, crafted almost in equal parts and it goes wonderfully well with sea foods, lighter cuisine and or soft cheeses.
The Fradiles winery on Sardinia is an all organic and traditional producer that works with many unique ancient indigenous grapes, like the ones used to make this Funtanafrisca white. Sardinia with its many different terroirs, and Mediterranean influence make it one of the most intriguing wine producing areas in the world, with the region of the island in this one being dominated by its decomposed granite and sandy red soils, located in the Southern part of the Island, not too far from Cagliari, the historic Capital. Again, I am grateful to my friend and Sardinian sommelier/winemaker Giuseppe Cossu has provided me with some incredible information on Sardinia and was kind enough to share this rare wine, that he brought back himself and had aged it a few years in his cellar. Fradiles, and winemaker Paolo Savoldo are committed to preserving traditional grapes and methods, using native yeast fermentations along with a combination of stainless steel and neutral barrels to promote individual characteristics of place and varietal, though he also does some blended cuvées as well. Mostly known for his red wines, some of which I’ve already have reviewed here, Savoldo has a great touch with his whites too, as this nicely aged Funtanafrisca shows to great effect. While most people will have had or have heard of Vermentino and or Cannonau (Grenache) from Sardinia, there’s so much more to discover and Fradiles is a winery to look for!
($25 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive