Ronchi di Cialla, Ciallabianco, Friuli Colli Orientali

​The 1996 Ronchi di Cialla Ciallabianco is a mature white blend from Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, combining Ribolla Gialla, Verduzzo, and Picolit grapes. Tasting notes highlight its complex bouquet, featuring lemon pastille, almond, peach, honey, vanilla, birchwood, and herbs. On the palate, it is well-rounded, showcasing excellent concentration and a clear acidity, resulting in a harmonious and enjoyable experience

Bordeaux-styled Ribolla/Verduzzo - mature, but certainly not over the hill. Complex bouquet with notes of lemon pastille, almond, peach, honey, vanilla, birchwood and herbs. On the palate well rounded by barrique and time, yet with excellent concentration and crystal clear ping of acidity. So harmonious, it drank really well still, and made a nice pairing to moroccan chicken with lemon, butter, almonds, dried apricots, pistacchio kernels and saffron.

A blend of Ribolla Gialla, Picolit and Verduzzo Friulano, all vinified dry. Med amber, showing some age. Pronounced aromas of ripe, baked, yellow apple, lemon, bruised white peach, candied orange peel, almonds, white flowers, caramel, vanilla. Barrel fermented on lees for 11 mos. Dry, with med (+) acidity and alcohol (13.5%), with a creamy, oily texture that is Chenin-Blanc-like. Med (+) to pronounced flavor intensity and length, consistent with the nose. Very complex, at its peak, showing really well for …

very fine and quaffable wine with a sneaky complexity and intensity on the finish.

Big, rich and round, fairly heavy mouthfeel; but no perceptive trace of oak, though I think it was used. Still fresh, with nice citrus flavors of grapefruit; balanced with minerals and tree fruits. Easy to pair with a lot of foods. Had at Marta in NYC

Lovely smoky saline nose. Good acidity on the palate but also creamy with flavors of grapefruit, quince and pear. Shows a nice complexity on the finish with notes of limestone and funky seawater. Needs time to develop further but I sure like it now especially with food. 90+

First time with this wine - we love this producer's Schioppettino, so grabbed a bottle of this to try when filling out a mixed case of whites. Glad we did this was very interesting. The nose is here is very aromatic - white flowers and honey. Tastes of honey, pear, green apple and a nice mineral finish. Medium weight mouthfeel - really nice.

Ronchi di Cialla Tasting with Ivan Rapuzzi : Golden straw color. Complex aroma, acacia, slightly medicinal; hefty wine, stands up to poultry, white meat. Less complex mouthfeel, still too young to express complexity. The usual blend of appr. 60% ribolla, 15% verduzzo, 25% picolit, wood fermented.