Paolo Bea 2019 'Santa Chiara' Pagliaro Vineyard, Umbria Bianco IGT

Paolo Bea 2019 'Santa Chiara' Pagliaro Vineyard, Umbria Bianco IGT

Item Number: 18219

UPC: 0-855152001708

Country: Italy
Region: Umbria
Sub Region: Umbria
Appellation/AVA: Umbria IGT
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vineyard Designation: Pagliaro Vineyard
Vintage: 2019
Grape(s): 20% Grachetto / 20% Malvasia / 20% Chardonnay / 20% Sauvignon / 20% Garganega
Type: Wine - Orange
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 13.5
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
Soil Type: Limestone-clay and gravel
Elevation: 1,300 feet
Case Production: 375

Winemaking Notes: This blend comes from the Pagliaro Vineyard, a site with alternating layers of gravel and clay at 1,300 feet above sea level with both east and southwest facing parcels. The juice is blended after crushing. Fermentation occurs spontaneously in small stainless steel vats at low temperatures and spends at least two weeks on its skins. Malolactic fermentation is also spontaneous, in tank following alcoholic fermentation. Two rackings are done early in the fermentation process to remove the heavy deposits and a third is done after three weeks. This wine is then left on the fine lees in stainless steel for one year before being bottled.

Tasting Note: Compared to the relatively racy Bea Arboreus and the typically chiseled Bea Lapideus, the Santa Chiara often swaggers out of the bottle with macerated peaches, brassy spice notes, a liberal dash of white pepper, and candied citrus. Despite its somewhat explosive and brash personality, it possesses terrific drive and a focused, tannin-derived sense of architecture.

Reviews

  • Vinous
    Rating: 92 (11/29/2022)
    The 2019 Bianco Santa Chiara is a deep golden color with orange hues. It pulls me close to the glass and doesn't let go, wafting up with masses of crushed rock, ginger, peppery dried flowers and exotic citrus. This is a textural animal, soft and silky, yet has a cheek-puckering intensity and an acid/mineral mix that literally sizzles upon the palate. It finishes long and salty in character, leaving pretty inner florals and a concentration of sour melon that resonates throughout the entire experience. The Santa Chiara represents one of the top values from Paolo Bea. It's an old-vine blend of both indigenous and international varieties that goes through 25 days of maceration and is refined entirely in stainless steel for two years.
  • The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 92 (5/4/2023)
    My tasting with Giampiero Bea started off with the 2019 Santa Chiara, a blend of equal parts Grechetto, Malvasia, Garganega, Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The grapes were harvested together on September 24th and fermented as one with 25 days of skin contact. Fruit is sourced from various parcels over 12 hectares of estate vines and three hectares of leased land for a total of 7,320 bottles made in this vintage. The bouquet is rich and creamy with acacia honey, candied chestnut, dried apricot and fresh orchard fruit. The color is saturated, and the wine adds richness to the palate.