MCF Rare Wine
Library Releases from Ronchi di Cialla
There are very few wineries these days that have extensive libraries in their cellars, but some certainly do remain, and we're lucky that they do.
A few of these wineries also happen to be the most legendary winery in their appellation...
...and in the Colli Orientali of Friuli, the producer who checks both of those boxes is absolutely Ronchi di Cialla.
They've been quietly producing the most singular, terroir-reflective and ageworthy wines from their native varietals in Colli Orientali (and, really, in all of Friuli) since 1970. Their farming has been meticulous and organic all along, and the resulting wines show as much varietal and regional character as anything you'll encounter from anywhere.
So, anytime we get a set of library releases, direct from their cellars, is a good time...
...today is a good time.
Have a good time...
(also, Let's Go Mets)
RONCHI di CIALLA
Ciallabianco - the flagship white made of Ribolla, Verduzzo and Picolit, is, for me, the benchmark of Friulian white, both because it's all native grapes, and also because it's just one unbelievably delicious wine, especially as it ages. It's got everything going - energy, aromatics, herbaceousness and that gorgeous, waxy/nutty texture that only great aged whites can offer (think aged white Bordeaux, but even more interesting). The 2014 is still rather sprightly and fresh, showing just the beginnings of its development, while the 1999, on the other hand, is fully down the aged white path and is, simply put, richly, stunningly delicious.
Refosco del Peduncolo Rosso - the Refosco is their most serious red, made from Friuli's most noble red grape. The dark-tinted, herbaceous, mineral, richly textured red is easily the greatest expression of Refosco on earth. The 2004 is muscular, with its firm, mineral structure, the 1990 is rich, broad and firing on all cylinders, and the lovely 1987 is totally in my wheelhouse with its cool-vintage transparency and fully mature aromatics.
Schioppettino - if the Refosco is their most serious/refined wine, the Schioppettino is the quirkiest, geekiest (and my favorite) wine in their lineup. If the frame of the Refosco is an Oak Tree, the frame of the Schio is more like a pine tree...it's leaner and focused and loaded with prickly herbaceousness and is so darkly mineral, you can't help but love it. The 2012 still has plenty of its dark fruit to hang over the edgy frame, while the 1993 is fully mature, with the edginess fully softened, letting all of that gorgeous herbaceous and mineral character soar.
You may order by calling 212.255.8870.
Matt Franco
MCF Rare Wine, Ltd
249 West 13th Street NYC 10011
212.255.8870
Looking for a wine you loved from a past newsletter or a favorite you can't find anywhere? Email Raphael at raphael@mcf-rarewine.com, and we'll do our best to find it for you!
