The Giuseppe Cortese 2019 Langhe Bianco Scapulin is an informal expression of Chardonnay with stone fruit, citrus and yellow rose. Winemaking is clean and zesty, and the wine has the natural freshness to pair with tempura-fried seafood or vegetables.

The Giuseppe Cortese 2018 Langhe Bianco Scapulin is a pure expression of Chardonnay aged in a combination of oak, amphorae and stainless steel for six months. It opens to a bouquet that is a bit heavy and flat, with mature peach, apricot and toasted almond. My sample had a moment of flint or matchstick that never fully lifted. Some 8,000 bottles were produced.

The 2017 Langhe Chardonnay Scapulin is a clear and luminous white wine that shines bright in the glass. The bouquet is simple and direct with citrus, yellow peach and touches of toasted almond or pine nut. Dried basil and mint make brief appearances on the close. This Chardonnay is aged in both barrique and clay amphorae for a total of ten months, and this adds to the texture and elegantly compact nature of the mouthfeel. Some 8,000 bottles were made.