Villa Sandi, Valdobbiadene DOCG Superiore di Cartizze (Veneto, Italy) La Rivetta Brut 2023 ($55, Demeine Estates)

Valdobbiadene is at the heart of the best Prosecco producing area and the steeply-sloped vineyard known as Cartizze is considered by many to be the top site in the appellation. Villa Sandi’s La Rivetta estate lies within Cartizze and provides the Glera grapes for this superb sparkling wine. Because the vineyard slope is so steep, all vine tending and grape harvesting is done by hand. After picking, the wine undergoes a long, cool fermentation to enhance the fruit expression. 2023 was a fine vintage with a later harvest date due to cool weather early in the season. The Villa Sandi La Rivetta offers a lovely perfume with delicate floral scents interwoven with lemon, peach, and green apple fruits. The flavors are pure and lively, with fresh apple, peach, lemon and lime fruits enhanced by floral complexity and a subtle hint of almond. The finish is long and intriguing, and the wine’s racy delicacy shows the superiority of the Cartizze terroir. It’s a delicious bubbly that will set a new standard for Prosecco finesse.
91 Wayne Belding