2019 Terlaner I Grande Cuvée Alto Adige Cantina Terlan

Bright, pale straw yellow with a slight green tinge. Opens with notes of flint, some saffron, fresh banana, mango, light brioche notes in the background. Radiant on the palate, well-defined fruit, opens with notes of peach, fresh pineapple, very good tension, light salty components. The wine finishes very long, fine and balanced, perfectly integrated wood, still has a long life ahead of it.

Bottled in August 2021 following 12 months of lees ageing in large wooden barrels, the 2019 vintage is showing a wonderfully perfumed nose of ginger and pear, with jasmine and strong philadelphus notes plus a hint of mandarin. Beautifully balanced with fine but not intrusive acidity, it showcases a floral and mineral finish of notable length. Beautiful now but will keep too. Utterly charming.

97P+: This is a gorgeous white wine, one of the best made in Italy. The Cantina Terlano 2019 Alto Adige Terlaner Grand Cuvée Primo is 70% Pinot Bianco, 28% Chardonnay and 2% Sauvignon Blanc. You feel all parts of the grape in this wine—the skins, the pulp and the extreme workmanship that goes into the blend and aging. This is the proverbial work of art in a bottle. Candied orange, apricot, almond paste, star jasmine, honey, saffron and much more rise gracefully from the bouquet. To the palate, this production offers an opulent, mid-weight texture with a smooth and silky finish. There are only great things to say.

The Alps and the Mediterranean meet in a glass! Mountain freshness (think wild herbs) and bright fruit (think Amalfi lemon) come together in a wine that marries a stack of fine tannins with wet-stone minerality on the the tightly wound palate. Make no mistake, this has been built for very long aging, so decant to aerate, if you drink it any time soon. Breathtaking energy at the very long finish. Drink or hold.

96P+: The 2019 Terlaner Grand Cuvée Primo is youthfully backward and delicate, requiring coaxing to release its sweetly scented bouquet of peach skins, raw almonds, whole cream and smoke. It envelopes the senses with an elegant wave of ripe orchard fruits and spice, boasting medium-bodied textures, yet also vibrant acidity that works to balance the expression perfectly. A saline tinge lingers through the finale, along with pretty inner florals and hints of chamomile, as this tapers off incredibly fresh. The 2019 Grand Cuvée Primo is going to require cellaring to fully express itself. I was fortunate to be able to taste this both at the winery and here in New York City. What a darling. It’s a blend of 70% Pinot Bianco, 28% Chardonnay and 2% Sauvignon Blanc.