Selvadolce Pigato Rucantu 2021

Tenuta Selvadolce sits on the Ligurian coast of north-west Italy, where Aris Blancardi farms biodynamically. The grape is Pigato, a Ligurian white closely related to Vermentino, known for its richer, slightly nutty and herbal character. Rucantu is made as an orange wine, with skin contact and eight months of ageing in barrel, then bottled unfiltered. The terraced coastal vineyards, stony soils and constant sea breeze give ripe fruit with a saline thread. Skin contact draws tannin, pigment and phenolics from the grape skins, building the deep golden colour and a real grip, while the barrel ageing and slow oxygen exchange add savoury, oxidative depth and a fuller texture. Bottling without filtration retains more phenolic material and adds to the wine's weight and complexity. The wine is deep golden in the glass. The nose shows apricot, citrus peel and almond over dried herbs, beeswax and honey. The palate is dry and textured, the nutty, savoury fruit framed by firm grip and a saline, mineral finish. It is biodynamic, organic, natural and vegan. Serve at 12 to 14 degrees.