FORMAT: 0.75L
GRAPE VARIETY: 100% CHARDONNAY
VINTAGE: 2023
PLACE: ITALY - TUSCANY
ALCOHOL CONTENT: 13.5%VOL
Producing a pure Chardonnay from a single vineyard, fermented and aged in barrique. From this bold vision, in 1973, Benefizio was born at Castello Pomino , near Florence, a white wine from the Frescobaldi company that, with the 2023 vintage, celebrates its fiftieth year of history.
On the road to Pomino I am always thrilled to discover this unique corner of Tuscany: hills and cypress trees suddenly give way to steep slopes, cooler temperatures in summer and snow in winter, magnificent forests of fir trees and centuries-old sequoias surrounding the Chardonnay vineyards, planted here since 1855. At 700 meters above sea level, Cru Benefizio was born in 1973, the first white wine in Italy fermented and aged in barriques .
THE CLIMATE:
The 2023 vintage had a mild start, with a few rare cold days and sporadic snowfall. The awakening of spring led to a homogeneous budding of the vineyards. The season continued with temperatures below the seasonal average; in May the temperatures were cool with frequent and above-average rainfall. The summer period - especially August and September - was hot, with a more or less total absence of rain. The situation described above led to a slightly postponed harvest, with grapes that showed the development of a complex and elegant aromatic profile. The wines of the 2023 vintage are clear, refined and with those typical notes of freshness characterizing the Pomino territory.
VINIFICATION AND REFINING:
The Benefizio vineyard is located at an altitude of 700 m above sea level, with a southern exposure and predominantly sandy soil. The Chardonnay grapes were harvested by hand in crates with extreme care and attention. Once they arrived at the cellar, the pressing they were subjected to was extremely soft and delicate, allowing a good extraction of clear must from the start, further clarified after cold decantation. The musts thus obtained were placed in barriques, 50% new and 50% first passage, where they carried out alcoholic fermentation and only partially malolactic fermentation. The wine was then aged in wood, on the lees, with bâtonnage carried out as needed. After a further period of refinement in the bottle, Benefizio Riserva reached its maximum taste-olfactory expression in terms of elegance and harmony.
TASTING NOTES:
Benefizio Riserva 2023 has a splendid straw yellow color with golden reflections. The intense and complex bouquet recalls predominantly fruity notes that recall ripe white peach and pear, accompanied by an intense spiciness with a reference to sweet spices. Persistent in the mouth and very structured. The ethereal sensation accompanies the entire duration of the tasting. It leaves a pleasantly satisfied and clean mouth.