“Zitelle Casa Rossa” Sauvignon Bianco Friuli Colli Orientali DOC 2023

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

02099023 · 0,75 l · 73,33 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately
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Within the legendary Zitelle vineyard, the Grand Cru vineyard that Paolo Meroi acquired in 2007 and which once belonged to the old order of unmarried sisters, lies the Casa Rossa parcel – the "red house". While the Barchetta parcel, with its Ponca sandstone and red clay, stands for crisp minerality, Casa Rossa is characterised by an even more intense concentration and depth. This parcel is only vinified separately in the very best vintages and bottled as "Green Label" – merois exclusive selection of the best grapes from the premier vineyards. It is not just the terroir that speaks here, but the soul of Sauvignon Blanc.

The north-facing site, once an abandoned clay quarry, benefits from strong daytime sunshine and night-time cooling by the cool northerly winds from the mountains – a dramatic change in temperature that combines depth of flavour with vibrant acidity. Paolo Meroi cultivates this parcel with a radical organic approach: no pesticides, no herbicides, just the natural balance between the insects in the vineyard. The hand-picked grapes are brought to the winery in early September in wooden crates, where they undergo a strict selection process. The decisive difference to the Barchetta lies in the ageing process: the Casa Rossa matures for twelve months in new French barriques – a significantly longer and more intensive contact with wood, which gives the wine additional complexity and structure without masking the pure varietal brilliance of the Sauvignon. After maturing in barriques, the wine is aged for a further month in stainless steel and bottle before being released.

The result is breathtaking: lush floral notes of camomile and freshly cut pear, underpinned by candied ginger, green apple and nectarine. A soft, almost creamy texture unfolds on the palate, perfectly balanced by lively acidity and mineral-salty notes. The long, structured final reveals candied lime, smoky hints and that complex flavour that can only come from the combination of great terroir and masterful ageing. Eataly New York rightly raves: "Soaring aromatics and a dense and ripe palate put this on the short list of the world's greatest expression of Sauvignon Blanc" – a wine that shows the absolute pinnacle of what Friuli has to offer. SUPERIORE.DE