Fermented in new barriques, this smooth and ripe Chardonnay is full of flavour: honeyed passion fruit, peach and lemon custard.

We found this wine in October 2021 during our journey along Italy’s Adriatic coast. One of the most complex and delicious Chardonnays we’ve had the pleasure of tasting, “Labyrintho” is a product of some really elaborate winemaking techniques. It’s unusual, with new flavours waiting at each turn: tropical fruits, honeyed sweetness, apple crumble and custard. We asked the winery why the name “Labyrintho”? Apparently it took them years of trial and error to master the desired taste – like escaping from a labyrinth.

The vineyard is planted in the Montepagano hills in north Abruzzo, only 2 km west of the Adriatic Sea and 25 km east of Gran Sasso – the highest peak in the Apennines (both pictured). The sea and the mountains provide a moderating influence in the hot summer months helping the grapes to ripen evenly.

Winemaking

The Chardonnay grapes are harvested late, in early September, so they can develop more sugars and stand up to new oak. After crushing, grapes are fermented in new French oak barriques with frequent stirring of fine lees (also known as bâttonnage). This technique helps to extract toasty flavours from the lees, adding texture and complexity to the wine. After fermentation, “Labyrintho” is aged in stainless steel tanks for one year. Finally, it is bottled and spends several more years in the cool underground cellar in the winery.

Tasting notes

“Labyrintho” has a pale gold colour. The palate starts off with silky honeyed aromas of passion fruit, peach and baked apple, followed by notes of caramelised grapefruit zest. Thanks to the stirring of the lees, this rich and full-bodied wine offers hints of apple crumble and biscotti. On the palate it’s smooth and creamy, with a lemon custard finish.

Awards

Vitae la Guida Vini, Associazione Italiana Sommelier – 3+1 vines | Luca Maroni – 92 Points | The WineHunter – Rosso