2009 Pinot Bianco Rarita

The 2009 Pinot Bianco Rarity is a total pleasure to take in, more savory than sweet, with a cascade of pretty florals and gingery spices complementing white peaches. Nearly creamy in feel, it impresses with its notable weight and energy as an elegant wave of ripe orchard fruits soothes the senses.The 2009 finishes surprisingly clean despite its sheer volume, tapering off with a subtle tinge of sweet spice offset by hints of sour citrus.

The 2009 growing season was warmer compared to 2010. As a result, this wine offers richness on the mid-palate along with ripe yellow fruits. The Cantina Terlano 2009 Alto Adige Terlano Pinot Bianco Rarity delivers aromatic intensity and good length. It also has a pronounced mineral side with salty freshness. One of the guests in attendance at this vertical tasting called it an "Italian wine with Burgundian texture," and I could not agree more. This growing season saw a humid and cool spring with lots of sunlight and more rain later in the season. Water reserves helped to preserve fruit quality when the season got much hotter in July and August. As is always the case with Rarity, high vineyard elevations ultimately make the difference and help to avoid any cooked flavors. This wine offers ample structure and texture.

The 2009 Pinot Bianco Rarity takes its time blossoming in the glass, wafting up with a delicate bouquet of young peaches, kiwi, lemon oil and sweet smoke. There’s considerable depth and concentration here, yet it’s supremely balanced with glycerol textures. Ripe orchard fruits nearly mask the saline-minerals and spices within. The 2009 keeps you guessing at each tilt of the glass, yet it’s never disappointing. It finishes long and lightly structured, leaving a reverberation of citrus tension contrasted by hints of custard and raw almond. While there’s a larger-scaled feel to this vintage, it’s harmonious and seductive from start to finish.