Sartarelli Balciana' 2017

Sartarelli has been one of the shining stars of the region for many years, with a philosophy that is completely synonymous with Verdicchio, terroir & purity. The depth and complexity that the Sartarelli family manages to extract from this (underrated) variety is simply astonishing, especially when you consider that stainless steel and/or bottle aging is their only method of aging. Tommaso Sartarelli works with a wide range of meticulously selected (micro) plots & terroirs from the Jesi Classico region that the family has cultivated with care for generations. While the tight entry-level Verdicchio is immediately top-level in its category, Tralivio adds enormous depth without a noticeable price increase. Balciana remains one of the absolute reference points for Verdicchio, the region and by extension central Italy. The layering, complexity and balance of Balciana result in a wine that makes an impression upon release but can also age with striking ease for a decade or more. And then we haven't even mentioned Milletta, a very recent addition to the portfolio, which immediately puts Balciana under pressure.