Bellone 'Radix' Casale del Giglio 2019

The Bellone 'Radix' represents the flagship white wine of the Lazio-based winery Casale del Giglio, an expression of the local Bellone grape variety that stands out for its opulent richness. This is a very ancient variety, also known by the curious synonyms of Cacchione and Pampanaro, which was already widespread in Roman times and mentioned by Pliny the Elder in his Natural History as the "Pantastica grape." Bellone is a late-ripening grape variety characterized by high vigor and thick-skinned berries, capable of producing both light and easy-drinking wines as well as more full-bodied and structured expressions, such as the 'Radix.'

Casale del Giglio Bellone 'Radix' originates from 100% Bellone grapes grown on sandy soils in the municipality of Anzio. In the cellar, the clusters undergo a brief skin maceration in open, vertically positioned 400-liter tonneaux, aimed at maximizing extraction from the skins. The maceration lasts for 2 days and is associated with spontaneous alcoholic fermentation over a period of 2 weeks, without temperature control and without malolactic fermentation. The wine then matures on fine lees in the same tonneaux for about 24 months, followed by several months in amphorae, allowing the wine to breathe. Aging is completed with at least 6 months of bottle rest before final release.

The Casale del Giglio 'Radix' Bellone has an intense straw-yellow hue with brilliant golden reflections. The nose reveals intense and broad aromas of ripe fruit, yellow flowers, Mediterranean herbs, and tropical fruit, enriched by hints of spices and resin. On the palate, it is full and rich, showing excellent balance between softness, freshness, and savoriness, with a persistent finish that emphasizes the olfactory perceptions.