“Ronco Basso” Chardonnay Friuli Colli Orientali DOC 2023

Ronco del Gnemiz | Friuli
Az. Ronco del Gnemiz Soc. Agr. | Via Ronchi 5 | IT 33048 San Giovanni al Natisone

02101023 · 0,75 l · 62,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping11 units available

"Ronco Basso" is one of the more powerful Chardonnays from Ronco del Gnemiz – and in the 2023 vintage it shows a particularly fine balance between substance and freshness. The lower-lying parcel near San Giovanni al Natisone, whose Ponca soils are rich in marl and sandstone, produces wines with denser fruit and a subtly creamy core. The year 2023 brought a changeable spring with sufficient rainfall and a warm summer that was challenging at times. However, cool nights in September maintained the tension and led to a staggered, selective harvest at the end of the month. The must fermented spontaneously in used barriques and matured on the fine lees to develop density and structure without losing its freshness.

Pale straw yellow in the glass with a delicate golden shimmer. The nose reveals ripe yellow stone fruit, candied lemon and white flowers, as well as subtle notes of roasted almonds, vanilla and wet stone. On the palate, the 2023 is tighter and cooler than the warmer 2022: a lively acidity and fine tannin keep the ripe fruit in perfect balance. The final is long, with a saline vein and elegant spice. "Ronco Basso" 2023 combines freshness and depth at the highest level – a Chardonnay with great potential that subtly but clearly conveys the signature of the year. SUPERIORE.DE

"I think it's safe to say that Serena Palazzolo and her husband Christian Patat are at the top of their game, which means that the wines from Ronco del Gnemiz are among the best produced in Friuli today. The choice is vast, as the transparency of the terroir is paramount here. It may be easier to sell and market one or two Sauvignons, Chardonnays or Friulano wines, but the differences between the individual hills, the individual sites and the age of the individual vineyards create such unique expressions that it would be a shame not to produce all six.

When you stand on the hill on which this vineyard is located and look out over the Rosazzo in the Colli Orientali, it becomes clear why these vineyard designations are so important for the future of the region. These hills rise and fall like bubbles, rising from the earth and dropping to the horizon. I can imagine how fascinated a winemaker would be with each of these unique sites. If you make a short list of the best producers in Friuli, you should put Ronco del Gnemiz at the top of the list." Vinous

"The 2023 Chardonnay Ronco Basso is understated in the glass as nuances of wet stone and chamomile give way to hints of cardamom. It is round in feel with juicy acidity that maintains energy throughout as tart orchard fruits cascade across the palate. A minty freshness lingers, tapering off with medium length and a pleasantly chewy concentration." Vinous