Livio Felluga Sauvignon DOC

Friuli Colli Orientali, Italy

Vintage:2022 (Current)

2021 (Past) |

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Livio Felluga Sauvignon DOC 2022
  • JS 94
  • VFTC 91
  • WS 90

Reviews

View From the Cellar 91 Points August 2024, John Gilman

Friulian sauvignon blanc is such a lovely wine and Livio Felluga makes one of the finest I have tasted. Their 2022 version is also showing a bit of reduction from its closure when first opened, so aeration prior to serving is again necessary to enjoy the wine properly. With air, it offers up a lovely nose of gooseberry, lime, a touch of casaba melon, damp grass, a fine base of soil and a topnote of white flowers. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, zesty and well balanced, with a good core, lovely soil signature, bouncy acids and fine focus and grip on the long, complex and nicely balanced finish. This is fine juice, just make sure you decant it before serving! 2024-2030.

Wine Spectator 90 Points January 2024, Alison Napjus

“A lively Sauvignon, this is sleek and mouthwatering, with hints of chive blossom, pink grapefruit zest, green melon and sliced almond. Drink now through 2027.”

JamesSuckling.com 94 Points August 10, 2023, James Suckling

“A more restrained and classy sauvignon with white sesame, light pears, apples and flint. Medium-bodied with a solid center palate and lovely length. This is complex and pretty. Real refinement with sauvignon blanc. Drink now. Screw cap.”

Overview

At 100 years old, founder 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.

A variety originally from France, sauvignon was introduced into Friuli under the Hapsburgs and became widely planted in the early 20th century. The wine is refreshing and captivating, with a generously wide, distinctive range of aromas, with notes of exotic fruit, yellow pepper, tomato leaf, mint and box hedge notes. It’s a traditional wine from Friuli.

Winemaking

The grapes are carefully destemmed and left to macerate for a short period. Next, the fruit is soft crushed. The must obtained is then allowed to settle. The now-clarified must ferments in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. After fermentation, the wine is left on the lees in the stainless steel containers for six months. The bottled wine is aged in temperature-controlled binning cellars for a minimum of two months.

Tasting Notes

On the nose, the Sauvignon 2022 is polished, complex, vibrant and extremely varietal. Floral, with hints of boxwood, elderflower and orange blossom. Citrussy, with notes of bergamot, pink grapefruit, and tropical scents of pineapple and passion fruit. Spicy and pleasantly balsamic, with hints of ginger, white pepper, sage, nettles and medicinal herbs. Seductive iodised nuances of salicornia, graphite and flint in the finish. On the palate, it is lively and polished, showing complexity and good texture. Pleasant hints of white peaches, citrus and tropical fruits blending into a long tangy freshness. Well-balanced and beautifully lingering on the palate, closing on citrus and mineral sensations.

Food Pairing

Excellent as an aperitif, Sauvignon is also an outstanding complement to asparagus, vegetable soups, legume soups and marinated fish. Best served between 54°F and 57°F.

Technical Information

Varietals: 100% Sauvignon

Wine Alcohol: 13%

Soil Composition: Marl and sandstone flysch of Eocene origin