2016 Iugum

Peter Dipoli is most assuredly the master of Sauvignon Blanc in Alto Adige. Dipoli founded the estate in 1987, with the purchase of a three-hectare vineyard in Penon that was originally planted with Schiava. He realized that this high elevation site, at 600 meters and up, on extremely vertical slopes, containing dolomite rock, chalk and limestone was the perfect place to grow Sauvignon Blanc. This location would provide the variety with an extended growing season and large diurnal shifts. His style was further tailored with the decision to pick late and refine the wines in large acacia barrels. The result is the Voglar Sauvignon Blanc, a wine that communicates its importance upon release but also matures gracefully for over a decade. To round out his portfolio, Dipoli’s next purchase was a vineyard located in Magré, one of the regions warmest locations, with clay and limestone soils, where he would plant Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Rosso Iugum hails from this location, a Merlot-heavy Bordeaux blend that marries the alpine origins of its varieties to an unexpected depth and richness. It is, once again, a wine that can, and should, be cellared for the best results. As a testament to this, Peter Dipoli has begun a library program which will feature its first release with the 2013 vintage in 2025.