2000 Clivi Brazan

I Clivi’s 2000 Clivi Brazan (91% Tocai Friulano, 9% Malvasia Istriana) is a great example of how the estate’s wines develop in the bottle. Sweet and ample on the palate, it offers dried apricots and figs, honey and flowers with notable depth and a long, lingering finish. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2010. Proprietor Ferdinando Zanusso aims to make natural wines that reflect the terroir of his vineyards in the Collio and Colli Orientali appellations. Zanusso works with indigenous varietals, low yields and a non-interventionalist philosophy in the cellar. He employs only natural yeasts and ages the wines exclusively in stainless steel. These are very delicate wines that won’t “wow” most tasters on first impression, but readers who are patient enough to spend some time with these offerings will find wines of notable delicacy and finesse. The wines have also proven to age quite well. Recent bottles of the 1997 and 1999 Clivi Galea were still gorgeous and showed no signs of decline. Importers: Artisan Wine, Norwalk, CT; tel. (203) 866-4552, Adonna Imports, Waltham, MA; tel. (781) 363-6422