2019 Tenuta Villa Crespia, Fanciacorta, Numero Zero “Dossagio Zero” (RT92) This up-and-coming estate was founded in 1999 and in 2020 brought legendary Riccardo Cotarella and his team aboard as their consultants. They are entirely organic in vineyard practices and nearly every aspect is hand crafted, from vineyard management through harvest and on to the winemaking. The results are convincing. This wine is made from a base of 2019 100% Chardonnay and was aged 18 months on lees and bottles with Zero Dosage. Tasted from Lot #L0419129. Showing a relatively deep, platinum hue with a gold cast, very fine bubbles define the glass as attractive, smoke-laced brioche wafts out of the stem. Ripe white peach, hints of toasted almonds, flint and minerality dominate. The bouquet is intoxicating. The palate is focused with excellent tension and layered with tasty fruit buttressed with fresh acidity and a medium length finish. Priced in the upper $20s to low $30s, this is an impressive value in the sparkling wine category but is relatively hard to find stateside. Drink now-2027+ Tasted November 2023
