Pievalta Tre Ripe Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2021
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Robert
Parker
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Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi boasts a microclimate well suited for lighter and fresher Verdicchio expression. Clay and limestone amplify minerality and freshness of fruit character. A tell-tale varietal note of all Verdicchio is often described as sweet almond. Verdicchio is a non-aromatic variety, but expect a streak of citrus to show, especially lime. Because Verdicchio maintains high levels of tartaric acidity, the wines can be crisp, refreshing and highly age-worthy.
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Vinous
The 2021 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Tre Ripe possesses a uniquely herbal yet also tropical bouquet, as sweet mint, sage and underbrush gives way to young kiwi and hints of wet stone. It’s pleasantly ripe in character, yet packed full of citrus and mineral tension that creates wonderful contrasts on the palate. The palate is left reverberating with nuances of sour lime and green apple, as the 2021 finishes crisp. Well done. There is so much character and balance packed into this entry-level Verdicchio from Pievalta.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This wine is a blend of fruit from various estate parcels. The organic and biodynamic Pievalta 2021 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Tre Ripe ferments with indigenous yeasts and ages on the lees briefly before bottling. The entire annual production is around 85,000 bottles. Fruit is from old vines, and there is a tiny bit of Trebbiano that was planted by mistake. Verdicchio is susceptible to fungal disease, and traditionally, Trebbiano was added in years that might have required more volume. This wine has a very clean, freshly pressed quality that adds to its immediate drinking appeal. Lemon and zesty peach cedes to dusty mineral tones.
Verdicchio’s long tradition as the Marche’s banner grape and its reputation as one of Italy’s greatest Italian white varieties is highly respected by the stewards of viniculture at Pievalta. Verdicchio production is centered in two place-name appellations of the Marche region: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and Verdicchio di Matelica. Pievalta terroir is located in the former, and the wines of Jesi tell the story of their microclimate and particular subzone. Pievalta’s young history was made possible by the vision of Silvano Brescianini (winemaker and Managing Partner of Barone Pizzini) who tapped enologist Alessandro Fenino to manage this ambitious project in 2002.
Pievalta refrains from conventional winemaking production, and has, since the outset, been farmed organically. In 2005, Alessandro also began conversion to biodynamic farming (Demeter certified since 2008) using legume cover crops between the rows and biodynamic preparations. In philosophy and practice, Pievalta aims to resurrect the spirit of their soils. Since 2009, all wines have been produced free of any animal additives.
One of central Italy’s classic white grapes, Verdicchio thrives in two distinct zones of the Marche. The best vineyards of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi adorn hillsides a mere 20 miles from the Adriatic Sea. The vineyards of the smaller, more inland Verdicchio di Matelica, are at higher elevation. Somm Secret—Recent genetic discoveries have proven that the Verdicchio grape is identical to Trebbiano di Soave, Trebbiano di Lugana and Trebbiano Veltenesi.
Stretching along Italy’s eastern coast with neighbors, Umbria to its west and Abruzzo to its south, Marche is a region with a varying climate from north to south. Its coastal plains roll into hills that become the Apennine Mountains, which run the length of the country. The Marche's best red wines come from the grapes, Montepulciano and Sangiovese; the local Verdicchio makes refreshing, crisp and light whites.