This is a pre-arrival offering that is expected fall 2026
Our tasting impressions
Yes, the dark bottle makes this look like a red. But it’s definitely white and oh so special.
Fiano is truly one of the world's great white wine grapes. This is a very different expression from the Fiano of the South. In the mouth, it's sumptuous and very long (the fine lees exposure). It's intensely floral, and there's a nutty/petrol aroma that might make you think cashews. The depth and complexity of flavors must be tasted to appreciate. It could use some time to better integrate but already it's a truly beautiful and great wine! Gianni suggests drinking these inside of 10 years. I wonder if he’s being conservative!?
About this wine
Fiano is 85% of this wine and the rest is Vermentino. Only the best grapes are selected from specific rows (38c to 47c for the Fiano and 33c to 37c for the Vermentino) and only the best grapes. All are from the Campo al Pino vineyard, whose vines grow in magmatic-volcanic soil.
A gentle pressing is followed by initial fermentation with selected yeasts in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature. The varieties are vinified separately. Fermentation is completed in in French oak tonneaux (new and one-year barrels), on its lees with regular batonage. It ages in the oak for at least 6 months. Just 1,800 bottles made.
About the grape
Fiano is best known for producing Fiano di Avellino in the volcanic soil of Campania. It is a low yielding grape whose character is highly dependent on terroir. Resulting wines can range from angular and mineral-driven to nutty and rich. The best wines are capable of long and productive aging. Vermentino contributes acidity, aromatics and salinity.
About the vintage
2023 was not an easy vintage for winemakers as yields were about 20% less than usual. This was mostly due to a rainy spring. But a dry and windy summer was redeeming. In September, there was good temperature variation between night and day, which was a great boost, particularly to the red grapes. As is often the case in years like this, a smaller crop results in greater concentration. Overall, a high quality vintage.
Gianni Moscardini's azienda in the village of Pomaia is in the northern Tuscan Maremma. This is the west coast, near Pisa. The Moscardini family has owned this land for 2 centuries but Gianni was the first to plant vines in its varied soils in 2008.
Production is growing and will soon reach 100,000 bottles annually from 13.5ha at an elevation of about 180m. The southwest-facing vines are trained in either the Guyot or Cordone Speronato system. All of the varieties are planted in at least 2 plots - each with a different soil composition - including some volcanic (YEAH!).
Gianni is an agronimist and his wife Meri is a plant biologist at the National Council of Research in Pisa. Together, they have deeply studied the soils and terroir of their land to determine what varieties will perfom best. Their credo is to produce wines that fit seamlessly with the land, which is why they vinify the grapes from each plot separately prior to blending.
VDLT is the only U.S. source for current offerings Gianni's wonderful, singular wines.
