The estate’s 2005 Gewurztraminer Lunare is also very extreme in style. A deeply-colored yellow, it exhibits awesome richness in its creamy texture and exotic ginger, jasmine, spice and ripe fruit notes. It is a superbly-well balanced, opulent wine that will provide much pleasure. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2016.
Cantina di Terlano is one of Italy’s top estates, something made all the more remarkable considering it is a cooperative. The entry-level bottlings have been among my favorite house wines for many years. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, they offer much varietal character at reasonable prices. They are also a great introduction for readers who want to learn more about the unique wines of Alto Adige. In addition, the estate produces a set of single-vineyard whites and reds which are reference-point wines for the region. The single-vineyard wines typically spend longer on their lees and are aged partly or wholly in casks. The top-of-the-line selections (in fatter bottles) see a percentage of smaller barrels. The Sauvignon Quarz, Gewurztraminer Lunare and Nova Domus in particular represent some of the most intensely flavored, unique and age-worthy wines to come out of the region.
Importer: Banville & Jones Wine Merchants, New York, NY; tel. (204) 294-4899