Giampaolo Venica and I first met back in September 2010 when I snapped this photo atop the Ronco delle Mele, one of his family’s top growing sites on their estate in Dolegna del Collio (in the province of Gorizia, Friuli).
He’s on his way to Texas as I write this: in anticipation of his visit, we opened a bottle of his family’s 2011 Collio Sauvignon Ronco delle Mele on Friday evening.
At first sip, the wine was so intensely aromatic and muscular that I decided to recork it and give it a night of rest.
By the time we revisited the wine yesterday evening (Tracie P is not drinking these days, of course, but she does always taste), it had come into brilliant focus, its power balanced by luscious white and stone fruit and electric acidity. Tracie P noted that it had this wonderful viscousness, an ethereal mouthfeel that made it one of the most moreish wines I’ve tasted this year, killing me softly…
We’re going to connect with Giampaolo later this week… In the meantime, buona domenica, happy Sunday, yall…
Do Bianchi 
I have always loved his wines. Had the pleasure of selling them during my brief stint as a wine salesperson at Ambiente. They have changed distributors now and I think they are doing much better in the market. Happy to see this wine available at many local Austin retailers and restaurants these days!
Claudia, we’ll probably be at Vino Vino tonight with Giampaolo. Come by if you can and we’ll have a glass together! Thanks for the comment. :)