2007 got 93 pts Spectator and 92 pts Parker

One of my all-time favorite white wines from Italy. White stone fruits, superb minerality, great aromatics. These wines are owned by the genius Joe Bastianich who with his Partner Mario Batali have revolutionized Italian Fine Dining.

Tasting NOtes: Parker on 2007: The 2007 Vespa Bianco is 45% Chardonnay, 45% Sauvignon and 10% late-harvested Picolit. This gorgeous, refined wine melds elements of ripeness and minerality with uncommon elegance. Succulent ripe peaches, minerals, smoke and honey linger on an impeccable finish. Vespa Bianco has a relatively short-track record but early vintages are proving that the wine has the pedigree to age beautifully in bottle. It will be interesting to see the shape future vintages take as Bastianich moves away from small French oak barrels in favor of neutral, large casks. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2017.

I am most used to seeing proprietor Joe Bastianich hold court at his flagship New York restaurants Babbo and Del Posto, yet as Bastianich climbs over barrel after barrel in search of his newest creation I get the sense that if he had his druthers, he would much rather be here in Friuli making wine than running his restaurant empire. Among the many wines I tasted was a compelling 2007 Pinot Grigio (not for commercial release) fermented on the skins and aged in 100% new oak. Bastianich (the estate) is a young property, but the future seems very bright.