White 'Simbionte' Castello di Meleto 2022

The Bianco 'Simbionte' from the Tuscan winery Castello di Meleto is a label that is striking for its floral and finely toasted aromas, the result of a blend of Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Bianca aged in acacia wood barrels. Compared to the more widespread oak, acacia wood is characterised by greater compactness and modest aromatic release, an ideal factor for those seeking a rather neutral influence of the barrel on the wine. By virtue of these characteristics, acacia wood barrels are particularly popular for the ageing of white wines, as in the case of this label.

The 'Simbionte' Castello di Meleto Bianco comes from a blend of Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Bianca grapes from vineyards in the San Piero and Meleto subzones, planted in 1990 on clayey soils rich in skeleton. The characteristics of the two plots are quite complementary, the former being cooler and more ventilated and the latter warmer and more sheltered. Following the harvest, the grapes are subjected to gentle pressing with brief cold pellicular maceration directly in the press. Alcoholic fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks and continues in first-passage acacia wood barriques, containers in which the wine matures on its fine lees for 15 months before final bottling.

Castello di Meleto's 'Simbionte' Bianco has a beautiful golden yellow hue. The nose offers hints of summer fruit and white flowers, enhanced by complex balsamic nuances of aromatic herbs and aniseed and fine roasted aromas reminiscent of walnuts and pine nuts. The progression on the palate is elegant, very savoury and rather warm, characterised by a full structure and a refreshing finish that enhances the aromatic notes of Malvasia.