2023 Azienda Agricola Vie di Romans Chardonnay Vie di Romans, Friuli-Venezia

A very leafy, herbal chardonnay with fresh aromas of lemon leaves, lemon peel and a touch of minerals. Medium-bodied, it shows crisp acidity, weight, a silky texture and a tight, biting finish. Drink now.

93 points James Suckling

From the plains of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Vie di Romans has built a reputation for Chardonnay that combines precision with a distinctly Italian sense of texture and generosity. Gianfranco Gallo is obsessive about detail, often harvesting later than most and giving his wines extended time on lees before release, allowing them to arrive already showing a layered, composed character.

The 2023 captures that house style beautifully. Bright straw with a golden tint, the aromatics are expressive and polished, ripe peach, nectarine and citrus layered with hints of tropical fruit, almond and a gentle touch of spice. There is a subtle richness, but it never tips over into heaviness.

The palate is broad and textural, stone fruit and citrus unfolding over a creamy, almost seamless frame. Lees work brings a soft, rounded feel, while a line of fresh acidity keeps everything in balance. There is a gentle savoury note, a touch of hazelnut and a faint mineral edge that carries through a long, persistent finish.

This is a wine that really comes alive with food. Roast chicken, pork with fennel, or richer seafood dishes all work beautifully, as do plates with a touch of spice where the wine’s texture can hold its ground.

Drinking beautifully now, though it will evolve over six to ten years, gaining more nutty, honeyed complexity.

There is a polished, confident feel here, a Chardonnay that sits comfortably between richness and precision, offering both immediate appeal and the depth to keep you coming back.