2011 Ferrando, La Torrazza, Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG, Piedmonte, White, Italy.
This seriously delicious Italian white from northern Piedmonte in the greater Canavese area, a new hot spot for great wines, especially this tasty Erbaluce from Ferrando, one of the regions best and traditional producers. The 2011 Erbaluce di Caluso is gorgeous with aromas of fresh picked apples, gardenia, tropical essence and citrus leading to a refined and silky palate of melon, passion fruit, lemon/lime, kiwi and verbena with bright minerals, wild herb, ginger/anise, vibrant acidity and lengthy elegance with lingering saline, stoniness and peachy notes. This is very classy and vividly flavored wine, stunningly impressive, and it really will turn some heads. While unique and native to upper Piedmonte, the Erbaluce grape shares some relations to Trebbiano and is also known as Greco Novarese and Vernazza di Gattinara in neighboring towns, but this version is by far the best I’ve tasted from this distinct varietal, drink now!
($24 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
avail at www.sfwtc.com ($19.95)