2024 Gavi dei Gavi Black Label

Full bottle 1,262 g. 100% Cortese. This is La Scolca’s flagship wine. The grapes were vinified in separate lots according to plot and age of vine. Fermented with ambient yeasts at cool temperatures in stainless-steel tanks. Aged for an extended period on its lees, without any oak influence.  Definitely a step up from the white label in terms of intensity, even in the aroma. Citrus, pears and fresh almonds with a hint of white blossom. But also showing a stony/mineral quality. On the palate, this is still light-bodied, cool and extremely fresh but somehow with more weight and depth, even with only 12% alcohol. There’s a firmness in the leesy texture, a light creaminess to balance all that tight, salty freshness. Dry and mouth-watering. Having just tasted the 2019 black label limited edition, I extended my suggested drink dates for this wine, though I am not sure every vintage will age as well as the 2019 has done. (JH)