Lis Neris

Barbana, Biljana, Kozana (BBK) are three small villages in the heart of what is probably Slovenia's most interesting wine-growing region, Brda, where the Rebula and other grapes for this exceptional white come from before they are then blended into a beautiful cuvée at the Lis Neris winery. The Rebula variety leading the B.B.K. is the Slovenian Ribolla Gialla and thus one of the most exciting white autochthonous grape varieties of the former border region of the eastern Collio.

Bright, lively yellow. On the nose pear, fresh citrus fruits, menthol and a hint of spices and herbs. Juicy, bright and surprisingly complex on the palate, the long contact with the skins gives this white a unique structure and complexity. A crisp and characterful wine that fully convinces with its long and very lively finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Pinot Grigio has been at home in the Isonzo for 140 years now; with the necessary sensitivity, it develops a great deal of elegance and structure and can almost be called autochthonous here. It is not surprising that Alvaro Pecorari has taken this grape variety to his heart. A finesse-rich white with a floral bouquet and a fine peach note. On the palate, multi-layered and quite complex, the 8-month yeast storage gives it depth, length and a good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

Successful, straightforward interpretation of the French grape variety, the signature of the Pecorari family is also clearly identifiable here. In a medium-bodied style, it convinces with a buoyant lightness and a refined, mineral taste of bananas and tropical fruits. Aromatic complexity also in the finish, yet it never loses its precision and personality. The 8-month yeast storage gives it depth, length and good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

Lis Neris' Sauvignon Bianco is expressive, polished and offers an unobstructed view of the grape's natural aromas of citrus, tropical fruit and some gooseberry. Fresh, complex and never broad on the palate, it is highly drinkable and will delight lovers of the bouquet grape variety. Its 8-month yeast storage gives it depth, length and good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

Fiore di Campo, based on Friulano, is no more and no less than the self-proclaimed "family wine" of the Lis Neris house, and that is entirely justified: pretty straw yellow with green-gold reflections. Enticing mineral and citrus nose with notes of peach, jasmine, almonds and liquorice. Firm, fresh and crisp on the palate of apricot and green apple, plus a lovely creamy texture. Its full body and gentle complexity marry in a final with considerable freshness and high drinkability. Perfect entry into the world of Lis Neris' terrific white wines. SUPERIORE.DE

Brilliant, rich yellow with silver-green reflections. The bouquet has pronounced smoky mineral notes, full of mango, citrus fruit, sage and asparagus. It shows its true class on the palate: wonderfully complex structure, lots of naturally sweet melting, refreshing acidity and a juiciness, power and length that can only be achieved through long yeast contact with simultaneous agitation. Very convincing, indeed downright engaging! SUPERIORE.DE

"Cooked pear, lemon rind, paprika and grilled herbs on the nose. It's medium-bodied with bright acidity. Flinty and subtly earthy. Waxy finish." James Suckling

Brilliant golden yellow. The nose opens with yellow fruit, summer ripe peach, pear and honeydew melon, as well as hints of mineral tones, ash and crushed flint. On the palate, Golden Delicious, pear and a certain creaminess, again flanked by salty notes. Very well integrated acidity, all in all a wonderful white of impressive depth and elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

Bright yellow-green. Intense nose of orchard fruits, ripe peach, roasted nuts and some lemon mousse, rounded off with creamy vanilla. In the mouth very juicy, not too heavy, with salty elements and warm yellow fruit notes. Chardonnay made by Lis Neris is always a complete pleasure and of lasting memory. Very elegant and with good storage and ageing potential due to 11 months of ageing on the fine lees. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Chardonnay Jurosa is rich and a bit backward, displaying crushed hazelnuts with hints of vanilla bean and yellow apple. It’s round, almost glycerol in feel, with a pronounced acidity that quickly balances, as sweet wood spice and ripe orchard fruits satiate the senses. The 2018 finishes clean and a bit shorter than I’d prefer, yet it leaves pretty floral tones and just a hint of raw almond to linger. This is a very delicate vintage for the Chardonnay Jurosa." Vinous

The Pecorari family's passion for single varietal wines is well represented by the Pinot Grigio Gris, aged on fine lees with bâtonnage for 11 months. Fermented in oak, this Pinot Grigio offers an exciting and complex bouquet of white peach, citrus, flint, crushed oyster shell, white rose petals and notes of acacia honey. The well-proportioned acidity, the fresh taste and the wonderful depth and tension make it easy to see that the Pinot Grigio occupies an absolutely special position at Lis Neris every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, rich straw yellow, light green nuances. Shows a bit closed at the beginning, then after noble wood, flint, notes of fresh pear, some peach and fresh apple. Full-bodied on the palate, showed exciting notes of mango, nice melting, salty background." Falstaff

"The sweetly seductive 2019 Pinot Grigio Gris displays a deep golden yellow hue. A tantalizing mix of candied lime and crushed rocks gives way to spring flowers and freshly sliced Granny Smith apple. It’s silky yet cool-toned with an airy freshness within, as ripe orchard fruits and a subtle inner florality evolve toward the close. This takes its time tapering off, leaving a citrus tinge upon the palate, along with a bump of residual acids that keeps the mouth watering for more." Vinous

"Red apples, spiced pears, apricots, lemons, cloves and dried jasmine on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with a creamy texture. Layered and textured. Bright and flavorful." James Suckling

The Chardonnay grapes for Lis Neris' Metodo Classico come from the historic Jurosa vineyard. After the first fermentation in 500-litre barrels, it matures for at least three years in the bottle on the fine lees and develops the nobility and elegance that immediately excited us. On the nose, notes of yeast, light stone fruit, limestone and minerals. In the mouth it is creamy and elegant, blessed with depth and at the same time great freshness, which one would wish for from many a French counterpart. Dom Jurosa is precise, cool and pleasantly dry in its overall appearance, which also makes it an excellent food companion. SUPERIORE.DE

Confini can justifiably be called one of the best white wines of Friuli. This crescent is an exciting blend of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio and Riesling, with the strong aromas of Traminer clearly leading the way. Medium-weight on the palate, creamy richness and silky intensity, with hints of tropical fruits, gingerbread and exotic flowers. In the last third, it is again wide-ranging, full of freshness and grace and with the lasting, deep impression that more than does justice to a top wine of this appellation. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, intense straw yellow. Very intense and complex nose of ripe peach, grapefruit zest, passion fruit and basil. On the palate, full-bodied, beautiful play with ripe fruit and spices, very long finish." Falstaff

"Like opening a fresh pack of Sour Patch Kids (I mean this in the best possible way), the 2017 Confini leaps from the glass, with an exotic mix of sweet spice and confectioners’ sugar complementing depths of tangerine, sour melon and pungent florals. Frankly, I could spend a minute simply taking in this aromatic mix. It’s like pure silk on the palate, combined with medium-bodied weight and juicy acids that create an undeniable elegance within, as tropical citrus blends with ripe peach and, finally, exotic inner florals toward the close. There’s simply so much going on here, yet the 2017 remains completely harmonious and fresh. It finishes long with nuances of kiwi and mint. Wow. The blend here is Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer and Riesling, which all make an appearance and also sing in unison. The Confini is a total pleasure today, but it also has the balance for medium-term cellaring." Vinous

Lis is a blend of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and is one of the top wines of the house. Wonderfully multi-layered in its aromas of citrus and passion fruit, yellow apple and an initially barely perceptible flavourful lead from the Sauvignon Bianco. All elements of this cuvée are equal on the palate and masterfully blended, the mouthfeel is soft and round. With its subtle pressure, this complex and at the same time elegant white makes you want more and inevitably casts a spell over every Friuli fan. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense light gold with straw yellow. In the nose restrained, filigree, of flint, citrus fruits, minimally of white stone fruit. Shows itself on the palate with racy acidity and polished course, powerful." Falstaff

"Aromas of apple pie, mango, nougat, almond, vanilla and custard. It’s full-bodied with an oily texture and fresh acidity. Some biscuity and nutty notes to close." James Suckling

"So pretty, delicate and fresh, the 2017 Lis is more of a whisper than a shout, but with a lot to say. Swirling unlocks nuances of young peach and mango complemented by hints of sage and ground ginger. It washes across the palate with ease, delivering mineral-tinged pit fruits and minty herbs, but also a slightly odd, yet still pleasurable, air of butterscotch. The 2017 finishes with medium length and nicely refreshing, while leaving a citrusy reverberation of tension and notes of hazelnut to linger on. The Lis is a blend of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, which could use a short stay in the cellar to blossom further and unlock its underlying depth." Vinous

The Chardonnay grapes for Lis Neris' Metodo Classico come from the historic Jurosa vineyard. After the first fermentation in 500-litre barrels, it matures for another 60 months in the bottle on the fine lees and develops the nobility and elegance that immediately excited us. On the nose, notes of yeast, light stone fruit, limestone and minerals. In the mouth it is creamy and elegant, blessed with depth and at the same time great freshness, which one would wish for from many a French counterpart. Dom Jurosa is precise, cool and pleasantly dry in its overall appearance, which also makes it an excellent food companion. SUPERIORE.DE