The 2008 Chardonnay Ciampagnis Vieris emerges from the glass with generous layers of ripe tropical varietal fruit, flowers and sweet toasted oak. The Ciampagnis Vieris shows marvelous inner perfume and richness in a style that is totally convincing. The wine's textural richness, balance and polish are all first-rate. Most producers would be thrilled to have the Ciampagnis Vieris as their top label, but here it is the second Chardonnay. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2018. This is a beautiful set of wines from Vie di Romans and proprietor Gianfranco Gallo. Vintage 2008 wasn't easy, which makes these wines all the more commendable. At press time I was notified that the estate's importer would change with the 2009 vintage. Readers should be aware that Vie di Romans is owned by members of my wife's extended family. I have always viewed education as an important component of wine criticism. An article on Friuli without these wines would have been incomplete and ultimately the consumer would have been poorer for their exclusion. For those reasons I have chosen to include the wines in this report. Neither my wife nor I have any financial or other interest, direct or indirect, in this property. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200