“San Zuan” Friulano Friuli Colli Orientali DOC 2023

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

02100223 · 0,75 l · 62,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping< 24 units available

"San Zuan" is one of the great interpretations of Friulano every year – and in the 2023 vintage it shows a slightly different facet. The single vineyard site above San Giovanni al Natisone, characterised by barren Ponca soils, benefits from a microclimate that combines warmth and alpine freshness. 2023 brought a rather unsettled spring with variable rainfall and later a hot, dry summer that put the vines to the test. However, cool September nights preserved the acidity and lent the grapes precision and flavour. The grapes were harvested in several stages at the end of September, gently pressed and traditionally matured in large, used wooden barrels. The prolonged contact with the lees gave the wine depth and a creamy but never opulent texture.

Brilliant straw yellow in the glass with a delicate golden shimmer. The bouquet is clear and open: ripe yellow plum, pear and citrus fruit, flanked by white flowers, fennel and a subtle almond note. On the palate, the 2023 is more powerful and somewhat warmer than the delicate 2022: juicy fruit, present, fine-grained tannins, lively acidity and a hint of herbal spice characterise the long, slightly creamy finish. "San Zuan" 2023 is a Friulano of substance and clarity – somewhat more powerful than its predecessor, but without losing its elegance. A wine with great potential that captures the signature of the vintage like a prism. 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 Friulano San Zuan is a total pleasure on the senses, mixing green melon with spearmint and sweet spice. It is soft and round, with nearly glycerol textures and a salty flourish up front as ripe green apple and hints of candied lime cascade across the palate. This wine leaves steely mineral tones and a spicy edginess while finishing long with cheek-pinching tension." Vinous