Bosco De' Medici

Pompeii Bianco 2021

92

This wine harks back to ancient Roman winemaking, a fitting endeavor for a winery that sits a stone’s throw from the ruins of Pompeii. The grape is caprettone, a native white variety that grows in the volcanic sands of Mount Vesuvius’s southeastern slope, in this case on ungrafted vines. The juice remained in contact with the skins in terracotta amphoras for six months, endowing the wine with copper tints to its color and a broad, saline-infused texture. Flavors of green apple, white peach and grapefruit show hints of smoke while maintaining a fresh, zesty character.

Bosco De' Medici

Pompeii Bianco 2021

91

100% Caprettone from ungrafted vines; macerated and vinified in amphorae. Bright, medium-deep yellow; aromas of lemon oil, hibiscus and passion fruit. Medium-full with appealing ripeness, this has excellent structure, very good acidity and admirable harmony; the finish offers notes of white flowers and lemon, along with a pleasing touch of minerality. The persistence is not as complete as one might expect, given the qualities of this wine, so I downgraded my score just a point, but all in all, this is a lovely, very pure, highly distinctive wine to be enjoyed over the next 5-7 years.

Bosco De' Medici

Pompeii Bianco 2021

90

A pure expression of Caprettone made in both stainless steel and terracotta amphorae, the 2021 Pompeii Bianco offers honeysuckle, candied orange peel, tart citrus and dusty mineral notes. This is a pretty but mild white wine that makes a good impression in terms of mouthfeel, thanks to its waxy apricot flavors acquired over 20 days of skin contact in the clay vessels.