Livio Felluga Abbazia di Rosazzo DOCG

Rosazzo, Italy

Vintage:2016 (Past)

2017 (Current)

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Livio Felluga Abbazia di Rosazzo DOCG 2016
  • JS 95
  • W&S 92

Reviews

JamesSuckling.com

95 Points

November 7, 2019, James Suckling

“This is a beautiful white with just the right combination of balance and concentration. It leads with confident peaches and apricots, which move into more tropical suggestions of dried papaya and mangoes. Notwithstanding, there are hints of dried cloves and white pepper. Full-bodied and very dense and flavorful; the rich, layered phenolics wrap up the waxy stone fruit into a subtle texture, similar to a sponge cake. Moreover, there’s persistent, direct acidity. Very long and deep on the finish. Drink now or hold.”

Wine & Spirits

92 Points, Year's Best Friulian Wines

October 2019

“This blend of Friulian varieties (friulano, pinot bianco, sauvignon, malvasia and ribolla gialla) balances its butterscotch richness with fresh flavors of citrus and stone fruit. Notes of limes pith and orange blossom give the wine extra lift, as does the brisk salinity.”

Overview

At 100 years old, the founder and patriarch, Livio Felluga, was accredited with innovating and mastering modern winemaking in Italy. Back from WWII, he sealed a deep bond with the hillsides of Friuli by reviving the vineyards of Rosazzo, later establishing him as “the patriarch of the wines of Friuli.”

In 1956, when Livio anticipated an implementation of appellation of origin, he chose an ancient map of the area to create an iconic label to tell the world the story of his wines. Pioneering vision, deep knowledge, respect for the vineyards, and obsession with quality, once embodied by Livio Felluga himself, have been proudly carried out by the company over the years. 

Today, the family-owned winery is led by Livio‘s son, Andrea Felluga. Known for producing lush, crisp and well-balanced wines, the winery‘s reputation extends well beyond the region of Friuli and its wines are recognized in a class with the most esteemed producers from around the world.

Winemaking

The grapes are carefully destemmed and left to cold macerate. Next, the fruit is soft crushed. The must is then cleared by allowing it to settle and then fermented in stainless steel tanks with yeasts selected in Friuli. After three days, the wine is racked into oak casks where the alcoholic and malolactic fermentation is completed. The wine matures in oak casks where yeast lysis took place. The wine was bottled in July 2017. Tertiary aromas will develop over the years to come.

Tasting Notes

The color is an intense straw yellow. The nose is elegant and refined, with gently intertwined fruity notes of flowering plants, quince, with aromatic herbs and spices such as mint, rosemary, anise, pink peppercorn, coriander, nutmeg and flower hints of oleander and almond. The palate is lively, pleasantly savory; lime, bergamot; gentle finish of crème caramel and chopped hazelnuts.

Food Pairing

Pairs beautifully with shellfish, oysters, caviar, mussels, seaweeds and other salty flavors; a particularly good match with vegetables and light meats with delicate and rich dressings. Best served between 57°F and 60°F. 

Technical Information

Varietals: Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon, Malvasia, Ribolla Gialla

Wine Alcohol: 13.5%