INSIDER'S PICK: 2021 CIRO PICARIELLO FIANO di AVELLINO 'CIRO 906' $33.99

A little nicer than what we usually show in the Insider's Pick, but we wanted to get you as excited about this wine as we are, at least while there is still a bit of it to go around. It isn't often you get the chance to taste people on what is considered one of the very best versions of a grape variety, at least not without having to shell out big bucks to do so. Fiano is the variety, and the high altitude volcanic soils above Naples is considered the optimum site for it to reach it's greatest levels. This version of Fiano is from a single vineyard (Ciro 906 is the registered # of the parcel) that Picariello only feature in what they consider the best vintages. Surprisingly, the winery tends to prefer cooler vintages to do so, intensifying the acidity that allows this wine to evolve for many years after release. Loads of cool crushed stones and stone fruits on the nose, especially right out of the fridge, with warmer melon and pear coming out as it opens up and gets closer to room temperature (if you can leave it alone for that long). The palate is where the wine really separates itself from all others, flooding it with intense minerality, crisp pear and citrus zest, with a mouthfeel that is both big in size and remarkably clean and crystalline on the finish. For this special bottling the winery leaves it on the lees for a full year before bottling, giving the flavors more intensity and generally elevating the entire experience up an extra notch or two. Treat this like a Chablis or great Muscadet and pair it a colossal seafood dish or something fresh and Spring time-y.  ​

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