2009 Vie di Romans "Flors di Uis" Friuli Isonzo

The 2009 Flors di Uis, a blend of Malvasia Istriana, Friulano and Riesling Renano, remains the flagship wine at Vie di Romans. Impeccably layered and nuanced, the 2009 impresses for its balance and overall sense of harmony. Jasmine, passion fruit and sweet spices come to life in the glass, followed by expressive floral notes that become more pronounced as the wine continues to open up. The warmth of the vintage has given the 2009 a bit more depth than is typical. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. Proprietor Gianfranco Gallo has a preference for rich, textured wines. In 2009, a year that saw a long heat wave at the end of August, many of his wines are even bigger than they usually are. The best selections, though, possess terrific overall balance. (2/ 2012)

I was able to attend a lunch with all of the 2009 Vie di Romans wines and simply put, I was absolutely stunned and utterly blown away by the quality level of the whole line up. This is a bold statement, but these are easily among the best white wines made anywhere in Italy. The Flors di Uis is a blend of 46% Malvasia Istriana, 31% Friulano and 23% Rhein Riesling and is almost impossible to describe. It has all the white flower and vanilla bean aromatics of the Malvasia, the wild herbaciousness of the Friulano and the lime skin and peach pit of the Riesling. Add to that the inherent minerality of Friulli and a careful, long maceration and fermentation, and you have a wine that boggles the senses. Just an outrageously delicious wine to pair with lighter to medium fare or just to sip on it's own and be baffled. (CM, LA Italian Wine Specialist)