California needs more wines like this! Tocai Friulano, aka Friulano in its homeland of Friuli, Italy and Sauvignon Vert in California (unless it’s Muscadelle…yeah, it’s confusing) has about 50 acres planted in California. That number recently went down when THIS vineyard, “Graziano” in Mendocino’s Potter Valley, was converted to Vermentino. Quoting Prima Materia’s Pietro Buttitta, it’s “probably a good idea, but a wistful one as this bottling has great tension and complexity.” This is true.
Good Tocia Friulano needs to breathe and stretch. And enjoyed chilled not cold: 60 degrees is good. My Prima Materia Tocai Friulano 2017 tasting notes include beeswax, wildflowers, dried lemon peel, green tea and mango. True to the grape, it’s awkward just opened: a little too floral and sweet-smelling. An hour of good breathing and away we go: citrus and orchard fruits, lemongrass and other stuff back up for the floral sensations. Medium-bodied the way a crisper, lighter Chardonnay feels. A joy to drink. 48 cases made. Everything I see and taste point to a $40 price tag, except for the demand. It’s $25 – amazing bargain. A well-deserved Hall of Fame Value.
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