Lis Neris

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 described as autochthonous here. It is not surprising that Alvaro Pecorari has taken this grape variety to his heart. A white wine rich in finesse with a floral bouquet and a fine peach note. On the palate it is multi-layered and quite complex, the 8-month yeast storage gives it depth, length and a good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

A 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 lively lightness and a refined, mineral taste of bananas and tropical fruits. Aromatic complexity also in the finish, never losing its precision and personality. The 8-month yeast lagering gives it depth, length and a good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

Lis Neris' Sauvignon Bianco is expressive, polished and offers an unhindered view of the grape's natural aromas of citrus, tropical fruits 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 lagering gives it depth, length and a 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 house Lis Neris and this is completely justified: pretty straw yellow with green-golden reflections. Enticing mineral and citrus nose with notes of peach, jasmine, almond and liquorice. Firm, fresh and crisp on the apricot and green apple palate, plus a lovely creamy texture. Its full body and gentle complexity marry in a final considerable freshness and high drinkability. Perfect entry into the world of the terrific white wines of Lis Neris. SUPERIORE.DE

Barbana, Biljana, Kozana (BBK) are three small villages in the heart of the probably most interesting Slovenian wine growing region Brda, where the Rebula and other grapes for this extraordinary white come from, before they are then married into a beautiful cuvee in the Lis Neris winery. The Rebula variety leading in 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. In the bouquet pear, fresh citrus fruits, menthol and a breath of spices and herbs. In the drink then juicy, bright and surprisingly complex, the long skin contact gives this white a unique structure and complexity. A crisp and characterful wine, which fully convinces with its long and very lively finish. SUPERIORE.DE

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 at Lis Neris has an absolutely special position every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Pinot Grigio Gris is gorgeous. Here I’m finding a dusting of exotic spice and white smoke that blows off to reveal crushed yellow apples and hints of green melon. It’s silky and pliant, contrasted by salty minerality, with brisk acids that enliven its ripe orchard fruits. Hints of vanilla bean, white flowers and a twang of candied citrus linger, making for a fully satisfying finale." Vinous

Brilliant, rich yellow with silver reflexes. In the bouquet with emphatically smoky-mineral notes, full of mango, citrus fruit 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 only succeeds through long yeast contact with simultaneous circulation. Very convincing, yes downright engaging! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling straw yellow with green notes. Intense nose of sage and tomato leaves, lots of gooseberry. Sparkles on the palate, nice game, juicy, very present fruit, lots of juice on the final." Falstaff

"Deep straw yellow. A big, full-bodied but fresh Sauvignon Blanc, with vibrant gooseberry and sage aromas and flavors. Finishes long with harmonious, zingy acidity and very good clarity." Vinous

"Some quite rich tropical-fruit aromas with grapefruit and lemon citrus played into a mix of herbal notes. The palate has a concentrated, juicy feel with plenty of textural layers." James Suckling

"Balanced, fresh and beautifully fragrant, the Lis Neris 2017 Friuli Isonzo Sauvignon Blanc Picol presents a terrific portrait of a grape. Sauvignon Blanc from northeast Italy tends to show softer, creamier lines with lots of passion and orchard fruit packed tight within. That's exactly what you get here. This isn't one of those green and punchy expressions of the grape that you might recognize from other parts of the wine world. Instead, the Picol prioritizes peach, honey and melon. It shows the enhanced but subtle fullness of the Friuli Isonzo growing area with its alluvial soils from the Isonzo River." Robert Parker

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 aging potential through 11 months of aging on the fine yeast. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Chardonnay Jurosa puts savory spice and minerality first, slowly evolving to show a pretty expression of dried apricot and ginger with hints of roasted hazelnut. It’s silky in texture, balanced by bright acids and yellow citrus, which brings further energy to its notes of ripe apple and pear. There’s a richness that lingers here with hints of almond and brioche, creating a fully satisfying expression from start to finish." Vinous

"The Lis Neris 2017 Friuli Isonzo Chardonnay Jurosa is another beautiful white from this leading Friuli estate. This wine strikes terrific balance between aromatic fragrance and textural elegance. Lost in between those two points are multiple layers of stone fruit, melon, honey, cream pastry and lightly toasted almond. The finish is beautifully silky and fine, and you can't go wrong with a grilled wild salmon." Robert Parker

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. Then on the palate Golden Delicious, pear and a certain creaminess, again flanked by salty notes. Very well integrated the acidity, all in all a wonderful white of impressive depth and elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is widely regarded as a difficult vintage, not so much for the heat but for the heavy rain in September. Many white grapes, however, escaped the worst of it and emerged unscathed. The Lis Neris 2017 Friuli Isonzo Friulano La Vila shows the grape's characteristic golden color with faint hints of green hidden somewhere within its luminosity. This is a zesty and cheerful white with a point of spicy piquancy that tastes like lime, tropical fruit and minty apple. There is a subtle touch of crushed oyster shell on the close. Try it with a conch chowder and freshly baked bread." Robert Parker

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 on par and masterfully blended on the palate, the mouthfeel is soft and round. This complex and at the same time elegant white makes with its subtle pressure every amount of desire for more and draws every Friuli fan inevitably in its spell. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling straw yellow with light green nuances. Multi-layered nose with notes of kitchen herbs, lots of tarragon and marjoram, then rich yellow fruit notes. Sparkles on the palate, emphasizes saline notes, shows lots of yellow fruit notes on the back end, beeswax on the final." Falstaff

"A floral nose with a fresh, perfumed delivery of tropical fruit like lychees and papaya. The palate follows in that vein with a fresh run of orchard and tropical fruit in crisp, mid-weight mode." James Suckling

"Medium deep straw yellow with golden highlights. Sweet spices, gooseberries, and fresh citrus fruits on the nose and in the mouth. Well balanced, fresh and penetrating, this finishes slightly tangy and zingy, with noteworthy lift for such a big, extracted white wine." Vinous

"This extraordinary blend of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc is beautifully fresh, fragrant and lively. The Lis Neris 2016 Lis is packed with so much purity and personality, making this wine the protagonist when cast opposite a neutral dish of pasta or risotto with scampi. This balanced vintage shows its strengths with vertical intensity and an absolutely smooth and polished delivery. I just love this wine—and its relatively affordable price for the type of craftsmanship it represents." Robert Parker

Confini can rightly 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 fruit, gingerbread and exotic flowers. In the last third then 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

"Intense, sparkling straw yellow with green nuances. Very intense and lush nose, rich notes of rose petals, plus lychees and lime blossoms, also good freshness. Spreads powerfully on the palate, shows there also again a lot of rose petals, in addition rich notes after cloves and bright pepper, fresh acid gives tension, multilayered." Falstaff

"Bright straw color. Perfumed, aromatic nose hints at Gewürztraminer, dominated by notes of rose petal, grapefruit, cinnamon and nutmeg. Rich, dense and complex, with bright juicy cut lifting the saline flavors of spices and ripe tropical fruit. Finishes long with a whiplash of harmonious acidity and repeating spice and intensely floral nuances. A knockout wine." Vinous

"An iconic Friuli wine, the Lis Neris 2016 Confini is an important and carefully balanced blend of Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer and Riesling. Floral fragrances of star jasmine, white rose and honeysuckle delight on first impact. As the wine relaxes in the glass, it begins to slowly reveal puff pastry, candied orange peel, almond marzipan and cinnamon-tinged poached pear. This is an abundant mid-weight wine with a dry finish and some beautifully fruity end notes. This is an especially powerful and elegant vintage." Robert Parker