To establish a date of the connection between the Pecorari family and viticulture in the Isonzo valleys, near Gorizia, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, just 10 kilometers from the border with Slovenia, we have to go back to 1879. Since then this connection has never been broken, passing through five generations, and arriving at the current owner Alvaro Pecorari who, starting from the important development work done by his father, gave it a definitive organization through the creation of Lis Neris winery.
Alvaro’s determination has helped to make the wines produced the decisive leap in quality, thanks to a careful study of the peculiar characteristics of the land. Most of the 74 hectares are located on a small plateau, born from gravel originating from the melting of glaciers, between the northern Slovenian border and the right bank of the river Isonzo, on land composed of river pebbles (called “Claps”) which absorb heat during the day and release it at night. Climatically, these are lands with continental temperatures that take advantage of both the sea breeze (the Gulf of Trieste is less than 20 kilometers away) and the freshness of the Balkan winds (including the impetuous Bora), a condition that guarantees an excellent temperature range.
In the vineyard, the pursuit of excellence passes by a mix between the latest conception techniques and manual-artisan approach for the most important operations, such as pruning, selection of buds, peeling, thinning of bunches and harvesting. In addition, the winery has begun to follow a biological approach in the vineyard and an ecological philosophy in the cellar, with the abandonment of synthetic chemicals, the control of CO2 emissions and the achievement of energy autonomy, thanks to the solar-photovoltaic system.
The result of all this work is a wide range of wines, with the top of this qualitative pyramid occupied by the line of Premium Cuvée in which the iconic Confini is located. It is a blend of Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer and Riesling obtained from vines over 25 years of age cultivated with a density of about 5500 vines per hectare, on a limestone gravel plateau, in the hamlet of Corona (4 kilometers west of San Lorenzo Isontino). The careful manual harvest gets about 50 quintals of grapes per hectare (less than a kilo per plant) that, after a delicate pressing, ferment in tonneaux. The aging period consists of 11 months always in tonneaux, with frequent bâtonnage, and another 12 months in bottle before marketing.
The 2015 vintage shows a golden color, with green streaks, and an olfactory fan that opens on notes of mango, dried apricot, peach in syrup and Tea rose, followed by chamomile, citrus jam, strawberry tree honey and moist flint, with final echoes boisée and balsamic. The palate is sumptuous, soft and deep, with an idea of sweetness (just an idea) immediately rebalanced by the iodine and mineral flavor, and the refreshing balsamic component; all enriched by the return of the overripe yellow fruit and the boisée that accompany the sip until an excellent length closure.
Rating: 90/100
Want to find out what I can do for you? Click here!
