2010 Casa Caterina 'Unico'
Place: Lombardy, ITA
Variety: Invernenga
Farming: Biodynamic
The Del Bono Brothers are a phenomenon! From vineyards in the Franciacorta zone of Lombardy the brothers make sparkling wines with zero additions (save liqueur de tirage) that arrive from biodynamically-farmed vineyards that have never seen a synthetic herbicide or pesticide sprayed.
Aurelio takes his inspiration from time working for Anselme Selosse by producing wines with greater fruit ripeness than the rest of the zone, resulting in wines that are generous and opulent aromatically. but finish with laser precision from lack the lack of dosage.
This is one of their long-aged still wines, made entirely from native grape invernenga. It hibernates for two years in barrel under flor (sous voile), allowing nutty and salty characters to rise to the fore, then released after a decade in bottle. It is the lovechild of fino sherry and sous voile Jura, completely dry, zippy and moreish. A perfect aperitif with oysters and other sea critters.