Country: Italy  Region: Marche  Vintage: 2020 Category: White Wine  Color:  White PRODUCERThe Bucci family has been growing grapes in the Marche since the1700s. Current custodian, Ampelio Bucci has 26 hectares ofvineyard on this 400 hectare estate, which is cultivatedorganically. Of these, 21 hectares are Verdicchio, spread over sixseparate vineyards. The old vines and low yields give wines ofgreat intensity. Consultant winemaker at Villa Bucci is thelegendary enologist Giorgio Grai, who has been there for nearly30 years. He makes wines for ageing and complexity rather thanfreshness and simplicity.VINEYARDSThe fruit for this wine comes from four vineyards, each with adifferent exposure and elevation, which contribute to greatercomplexity in the final blend. Yields are kept low and vineyardmanagement is certified organic, with no herbicides or pesticidesused. Soils are mainly calcareous (limestone), lending minerality tothe wine, with around 30% clay which retains moisture during thehot summers. The average age of the vines is 37 years.VINIFICATIONThe grapes were soft-pressed and the free-run juice wasfermented at controlled temperatures. The wine was then aged inold oak barrels between 50 and 75 hectolitres in size for fourmonths. Different vineyard parcels were vinified separately thencarefully blended before bottling.TASTING NOTESDeep straw yellow in colour, this wine has a layered bouquet withnotes of Golden Delicious apples and almonds. The palate iscomplex with a silky texture and good body. A refreshing mineraledge contrasts with ripe, round flavours of wildflower honey