“Zitelle Barchetta” Sauvignon Bianco Friuli Colli Orientali DOC 2023

Meroi Davino | Friuli
Az. Agr. Meroi | Via Stretta 7/b | IT 33042 Buttrio

02091523 · 0,75 l · 73,33 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately
Limitation of 3 articles per customer

Citadel – in German "the unmarried" – refers to the ancient order of the Sisters of the Unmarried, who owned this land in Buttrio and the surrounding area for centuries. When Paolo Meroi acquired this legendary vineyard, which was once an old clay pit, in 2007, he not only added more vineyards to his portfolio, but also a piece of Friulian cultural history. The Zitelle borders directly on the historic family vineyard "Dominin" and is now considered one of the Grand Cru sites of the Colli Orientali – a terroir that is internationally recognised for wines of exceptional quality and personality.

Within the Zitelle site lies the "Barchetta" parcel, rich in that famous Ponca soil – a unique mixture of sandstone-flysch and red clay, remnants of an Eocene seabed that gives Friuli its unmistakable mineral signature. The south-eastern exposure of the vineyard at 120 metres above sea level guarantees intense sunshine, while the cool nights of the nearby Alps provide the dramatic temperature differences that combine depth of flavour and freshness. Paolo Meroi cultivates this parcel organically, without pesticides or herbicides, with shockingly low yields that emphasise intensity over quantity. The pure Sauvignon is harvested by hand in early September, fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with natural yeasts and aged for ten months in equal parts new and used French barriques, followed by five months in stainless steel and a further five months in the bottle.

The result is a Sauvignon of electrifying brilliance: vibrant flavours of pineapple, kiwi, gooseberry, kaffir lime and wet stones, underpinned by delicate herbal nuances. The palate reveals a wonderfully structured texture with excellent tension – a fascinating combination of salinity and bright acidity that carries the wine through the finish. Bergamot, mandarin zest and summer flowers linger, with a hint of lemongrass on the long, precise final. A Sauvignon that proves why Eric Guido from Vinous raves: "Energy and purity now define this portfolio" – a wine of spectacular quality that captures the soul of the Ponca terroir. SUPERIORE.DE