2010 Rosso

Enzo Pontoni continues to make some of the richest, most daring wines in Friuli. Vintages 2011 and 2012 have been challenging, largely because of heat and lack of water. Production is down. Miani fans will note the absence of a few wines in both vintages that weren't bottled because Pontoni did not feel they were up to his exacting standards. I have to wonder if Pontoni's pursuit of low yields is at some point a hindrance given a general trend towards warmer growing seasons that makes it hard for Pontoni to make the tense, energetic, mineral-driven wines he seeks. Although the Miani wines are incredibly appealing young, both the whites and reds benefit from time in bottle. The 2011 whites are just starting to drink now, while the 2012s need at least another year in bottle. A recent magnum of the 2009 Sauvignon Banel was exceptional, with perfumes that literally filled the room as the bottle was being poured. Readers might also enjoy this short video covering a handful of these new releases .