2002 Ribolla Gialla

La Castellada is located in the hills of Oslavia, just outside Gorizia. Working from a tiny, cramped cellar the outspoken, passionate Niccolò Bensa crafts artisanal wines loaded with personality. The wines, which see partial maceration on the skins, are made in a style that may not appeal to every palate, but readers looking to discover a unique expression of Collio terroir owe it to themselves to check out this estate. The estate favors French oak barrels for aging, with the exception of the Ribolla which is aged in medium-sized casks. Bensa prefers to release his wines, the Rosso in particular, later than most of his colleagues, so these are his current releases.