2021 Terlaner I Grande Cuvée Alto Adige Cantina Terlan

Saline, intense, a ton of grip and tension, green apple alongside peach pit, white mango, sage, mandarin, apricot puree, sage, strong acidity that judges its pitch just right. This is so good, firing on all cylinders. The switchback of taste, texture, aromatics, builds slowly from beginning to end while leaving an impression of purity and intense flavour. Part of an insanely good tasting of the Cantina Terlano wines held a few weeks ago - my write up of the entire event is on its way in January. If these wines are not on your radar yet, get on board.

Intense and mineral from the start, the 2021 Terlaner I Primo Grande Cuvée opens with a beguiling blend of flint stones, camphor and white smoke, giving way to dried peaches and apricots. It sweeps across the palate, ripe in style yet refined, with silken textures, taking on a saline tinge as tart orchard fruits cascade throughout, complicated by a spicy hint of ginger. Long, long, long, the 2021 lingers on, youthfully tense and gently tannic, with a crunchy feel and sensation of liquid stone that remains under an air of pretty inner florals. The potential is off the charts. This is a I Primo for the ages.

Classy peach kernel aroma with Corton Charlemagne-like elegance, full of flinty minerality, linden tree flowers and pink grapefruit. Delicate palate at first, showing concentration of fruit, weight and vibrancy with great harmony and balance. A tight-knit structure between fruit and acidity flows to a long, fruity, super-refreshing finish. 65% pinot bianco, 33% chardonnay and 2% sauvignon blanc. Drink now or hold for decades.