Appius 2012, 2011, 2010. A comparison of three vintages
I remember a lovely evening at the end of 2016 in San Michele Appiano. We tasted three vintages of Appius: Appius 2012 (presented for that occasion), 2011 and 2010. Unanimous acclaim for the caressing 2010, with notes of tropical and dried fruit and still with good freshness. I preferred the 2011 with that touch of citrus, a fresher nose, slightly grassy, but with a perfect palate.
My mini-vertical tasting of Appius wines
Appius is one of those great wines that represents and tries to interpret the vintage. And everything depends on how the ripening goes: when the Chardonnay can’t wait, the percentage of Sauvignon goes up. And in my opinion, in that great arrangement of the Appius blend (which also includes Pinot Bianco and Grigio) a touch of wild is just what it needs.
Here are my tasting notes on the three vintages tasted.
Appius Alto Adige DOC 2012 Cantina San Michele Appiano
Producer: San Michele Appiano Winery
Country: Italy
Region: Alto Adige
Winegrowing area: Appiano
Wine type: Still white
Grapes: 65% Chardonnay, 15% Sauvignon, 20% Pinot Grigio and Pinot Bianco
Score: 90
Technical notes: Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation and ageing in barriques/tonneau barrels. Blending is done after almost a year, followed by further ageing on the lees for three years in stainless steel vats
Description: Still young, the nose is of white-fleshed fruit, peach, tropical fruit such as banana, buttery notes. On the palate it is powerful, with excellent freshness, warm and very lingering
Appius Alto Adige DOC 2011 Cantina San Michele Appiano
Producer: San Michele Appiano Winery
Country: Italy
Region: Alto Adige
Winegrowing area: Appiano
Wine type: Still white
Grapes: 33% Sauvignon, 33% Chardonnay and 33% Pinot Grigio
Score: 92
Technical notes: Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation and ageing in barriques/tonneau barrels. Blending is done after almost a year, followed by further ageing on the lees for three years in stainless steel vats
Description: Grapefruit, herbs and coffee beans on the nose. Very fresh. Citrusy palate and great creaminess
Appius Alto Adige DOC 2010 Cantina San Michele Appiano
Producer: San Michele Appiano Winery
Country: Italy
Region: Alto Adige
Winegrowing area: Appiano
Wine type: Still white
Grapes: 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon
Score: 91
Technical notes: Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation and ageing in barriques/tonneau barrels. Blending is done after almost a year, followed by further ageing on the lees for three years in stainless steel vats
Description: Peanut butter, passion fruit, wild strawberries, herbs, chamomile, walnut skin, flint. A silky mouth, very elegant, lingering and sapid. Slight liquorice astringency and slightly honeyed
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