Vintage Tunina 2018, Jermann

It was written and said a lot about Silvio Jermann, and with good reason, because we are talking about a Friulian producer capable of bringing his wines to success in the world market, one of those people who, needless to say, has a prominent place among the Made in Italy wine standard-bearers.

The success came rather quickly: the official production of the iconic Vintage Tunina began with the 1975 vintage, and already in 1979, Luigi Veronelli began to sing its praises, comparing its slender and energetic sip to the athletic vigor of the 200 meters world record holder, the legendary Pietro Mennea. Awarded by national and international critics, with an impressive constancy over the years, the Vintage Tunina continued constantly to confirm itself as one of the most celebrated expressions of Italian white wine.

The 16 hectares Tunina vineyard, from which come the grapes of Savignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia Istriana and Picolit, takes its name from the poorest of the Casanova lovers, the Venetian Antonia, and is nestled on the Ronco del Fortino (in Farra d’Isonzo, Gorizia). The grapes are planted at a density of 6-7000 vines per hectare, and have a rather low yield (around 45 quintals/ hectare), also because the harvested is delayed of about 15 days and the berries, in a state of slight over-ripening, have already begun to lose some water. The fermentation is followed by the first aging in steel (80%) and wooden barrels of 750 liters (20%), with prolonged rest on the lees, and a second aging in bottle, before marketing.

This 2018 vintage, with a brilliant straw yellow color and golden reflections, shows in the glass an evident glyceric charge, index of plenty of structure and opulence, which translates to the nose into hints of yellow and exotic fruit, enriched by notes of citrus, honey, wild flowers, walnut husk, flint and marzipan. The mouthfeel is refined and soft, with good flavor, but it is the mineral component to stand out, surrounded by a burst of acidity which leads to a long almond finish.

Rating: 92/100

https://theitalianwinehunter.com/vintage-tunina-2018-jermann/