Chardonnay

An unimaginably fine bouquet of ripe fruit, flowers, butter and brioche, wrapped in an elegant woody note, the full fruity flavour and the long, creamy finish are magnificent. SUPERIORE.DE

Castello della Sala has been producing one of Italy's most famous white wines, Cervaro, for many years. In recent years, it has become fresher and deeper at the same time, without the conservative, broad style that characterised older late harvest editions of this wine. On the nose, stewed apples, cream, notes of oak bark, mango and peach. The palate is full of tropical fruit with a fine vein of acidity and a precise mineral component. A long-lasting, beautiful white wine and rightly one of the most sought-after white wines in the wine world every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"An enticing nose of ripe fruit, floral and spice notes lures you into the glass of this classy white. Finely meshed and refreshing, with a pleasing succulence to the flavors of ripe yellow peach, macadamia nut, lemon-infused pastry cream and ginger biscuit. Lightly chalky in texture, this lingers on the salty finish." Wine Spectator

"The Castello della Sala 2022 Cervaro della Sala is based on Chardonnay and has a small proportion of the local grape variety Grechetto in the blend. The nose opens with a reductive note of flint or matchstick, but quickly lifts to reveal soft orchard fruit, white peach and minty apple. These are joined by delicate toasted notes with a hint of pecan or macadamia nut. Salty mineral notes also emerge on the finish, emphasising the extremely vertical or elevated character of the bouquet." Wine Advocate

"The Cervaro della Sala 2022 opens with a seductive bouquet in which vanilla pods and crushed almonds develop into a mixture of yellow apples, camomile, mint and cardamom. The palate is flooded with silky waves of ripe stone fruits and spices. Tactile mineral tones build tension over a core of vibrant acidity. Balanced and refined, the 2022 finishes beautifully structured and long with a concentration of citrus fruit and a saline note that lingers. This is a stunning Cervaro della Sala that, despite its seductive state, is made for the cellar." Vinous

"Attractive nose of ripe mangoes, pineapple and grilled lemons with some roasted and nutty notes and a hint of smoky minerality. Also cardamom and pie crust. It is full-bodied, nervy and juicy, with bright acidity and savoury nuances. It is complex and long, building on the palate with vibrant, savoury notes of candied ginger, dried lemons and bitter citrus peel. Truly the Montrachet of Italy." James Suckling

Troy is no ordinary Chardonnay. Rather, it is the archetype of a Chardonnay, as Wolfgang Klotz, managing director of what is probably the most successful winegrowers' cooperative in South Tyrol, sees it. The grapes come from two selected vineyards in Söll, near Tramin. The climate there is not only Mediterranean, but the vegetation is also characterised by rather cold downdraughts at night. Both factors guarantee optimal development of the plants and fruit. The berries are hand-picked one by one, so it is clear to any wine connoisseur that this is an absolutely prestigious project for the co-operative. It is therefore not surprising that only 3,000 bottles of this grape variety are sold in selected specialist shops and top restaurants.

Intense straw to golden yellow in colour. On the nose, tropical fruit, a hint of camomile and mint, then fine roasted notes and a subtle nutty flavour. On the palate, you can almost taste the proximity of the mountains, its clarity, freshness and intensity: exotic notes of ripe yellow fruit, then some nutty flavours and again a beguiling liveliness and minerality that ends in an equally long final. Chardonnay can be like this, chapeau! SUPERIORE.DE

"Fine toast, spice, lemon zest, pie crust and roasted pineapple aromas. Flavorful and concentrated on the palate, with a full body. This is quite textural, broad and long. A serious, substantial chardonnay that went through adequate wood cultivation for refinement." James Suckling

From deep moraine soil with a high salt and lime content, Vigna Au first opens with flint and walnut and then beguiles with a complex bouquet of yellow, exotic fruits. Intense, juicy, with just the right amount of acidity, it has a maturation potential of at least 15 years. Just 2,000 bottles of this exceptional Chardonnay are bottled each year. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, elegant light gold colour. Discreet hazelnuts and pine nuts on the nose, then cold smoke, subtle pineapple and banana, roasted hazelnuts in the background. Juicy and with very good tension, shows lots of crisp fruit, well-integrated acidity, very long finish, fun." Falstaff

"The Vigna Au lies at a relatively low altitude of 300 metres above sea level in Kurtatsch-Margreid. Great aromas, with very clear citrus fruit and flavours of yellow fruit, paired with fine oak spice. Also mineral notes reminiscent of graphite and salt. Extremely juicy, clear and animating on the palate. Pithy final." Vinum

"The 2020 Chardonnay Riserva Vigna AU combines rich notes of almond custard and candy spice with an invigorating blend of crushed green apples and lime zest. Luxuriously round and supple, the 2020 flows across the palate with an abundance of mineral fruit accompanied by sour citrus. Lightly structured yet full of savoury tension, the 2020 finishes long with a saline tension that lingers." Vinous

"Roasted flavours, smoked almonds, nectarines and lemon meringue on the nose, followed by a full, toasty and firm body. Lots of wood, but also ripe fruit. Long finish." James Suckling

"Inviting and elegant nose of peach and white pepper, nectarine on the palate, fresh minerality and lively acidity." Decanter

Nibbio is a truly outstanding Chardonnay, hand-picked from a vineyard of just over one hectare on Monte Nibbio in Umbria, which is situated at a lofty height of 520 metres above sea level and belongs to the Castello della Sala estate. The site has cool north-eastern exposures and dense forests at lower altitudes that insulate the temperature. It is the second vintage of the latest passion project of Piero Antinori and his famous OenologistRenzo Cotarella. Nibbio combines Antinori's winemaking traditions with the unique characteristics of the terroir and follows on seamlessly from the path taken 35 years ago with Cervaro della Sala.

Nibbio della Sala is characterised by a finely defined, very Burgundian style and the characteristic mineral properties of the vineyard site. Lively and elegant bouquet with flint, white apricots, green pears, hazelnuts, lemons, green tea and a hint of toast. Full on the palate, yet elegant and refined, with bright acidity, polished phenolics and a silky, structured and lively DNA and great length. Nibbio is perhaps the most perfect and captivating Chardonnay in Italy and already promises wonderful further ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense, sparkling straw yellow colour with a clear green hue. Complex and inviting on the nose, opening with notes of flint and iodine, then lots of grapefruit, some fresh pineapple and white peach. Extremely supple in the attack and on the palate, good interplay between cool and Mediterranean notes of orange peel, pineapple and white peach, present but well-integrated acidity that gives the wine juiciness and tension, flows for a long time, fine mineral notes on the final." Falstaff

Gaja's daughter Gaia and grandmother Rey's names were the inspiration for this impressive Chardonnay: Gaia & Rey lies in the glass like a golden jewel and unfolds a balsamic fruity aroma of yellow peaches, melon and banana. On the palate, the alcohol component and use of wood are perfectly tamed by mineral and spicy notes. The first Chardonnay vines, which were planted in 1979 in Treiso (the estate's highest vineyard at the time) in the Langa, still provide the fruit for today's cult white wine Gaia & Rey, which was first produced in 1983. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Gaia & Rey is another terrific white from Gaja in this challenging but surprising vintage. Lemon confit, white flowers, mint and a kiss of French oak all grace this creamy, beautifully textured Chardonnay. Impressive." Vinous

"What a lovely Chardonnay, with cooked apple slices, pears, light cream and pineapple, but so well put together with a mouthfeel that is lovely and finely textured. Already tantalising now, but will get even better with age." James Suckling