‘I Favati?’–Our favourites…

Unique Italian whites.

We are delighted to offer a duo of Italian whites which we believe are the best value wines offered by Renaissance Vintners. They were a totally random discovery: whilst spending an idle ten minutes in the office perusing an article in Decanter’s 27 Must Buy Italian Whites we noticed a couple of wines that had been awarded scores we assumed were decidedly fanciful – 95/100 for an Italian white we’d never heard of ?   Really ? Surely not ?

 But our curiousity was piqued – we bought a case of each of these highly ranked wines and tasted them.   Wow. We were convinced, immediately.   The Fiano d’Avellino had a sensational texture and wild flavours of melon, smoke, and green fruit; the Greco di Tufo was slightly more restrained and….dare we say it, classic, with orangeflower and citrus fruit overlaid by mineral nuance.

 A shameless Facebook flirtation with the grower and distributor rapidly ensued…..

We are now delighted to offer these remarkable wines.

 

 

2012   Greco di Tufo, I Favati, Campania                       £ 72 IB Case
From the Terrantica Vineyard, 1580ft above sea level on clay and chalk soil. Fermented in stainless steel tank.

Harmonious, classic bouquet, with notes of citrus, mineral, honey and flowers. Slightly reminiscent of a ripe Grand Cru Chablis on the nose…. Juicy, fresh acidity and delicate but intense flavours of great purity – green apple, stone fruit, quince and minerals. Medium bodied but finishes really long with a note of citrus and honey.   Classy. Will improve, as is slightly reticent initially.

 

 2013   Fiano di Avellino, I Favati, Campania                £ 72 IB Case

From the Pietramara Vineyard, 1380ft above sea level on clay and stone soil. Fermented in stainless steel tank.

Unusual, idiosyncratic, sexy but discreet nose, with hints of acacia, melon, green fruit peel and smoke. And then a truly wow palate, quite unlike anything else we’ve tasted. Plush and velvety – almost creamy – but with dry, green fruit and a wealth of savoury minerality.   Finishes big, with a note of grilled pineapple. An extraordinarily characterful wine. Also will improve.