2014 La Staffa Verdicchio

Region: Verdicchio di Castelli di Jesi < Italy 
Grapes: Verdicchio
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic, some biodynamic practices, limestone and clay soil, 400 foot elevation, fermented 15 days in stainless steel and concrete and aged on lees for 6 months before bottling.
Winemaker: Riccardo Baldi

At Rock Juice we’re big fans of summer quaffing wines, but sometimes we crave something a little more substantial and intellectual. The La Staffa Verdicchio checks both boxes in an extremely delicious fashion. And we love the bootstrap passion of owner and winemaker Riccardo Baldi. In 2009, when he was 20, he started the estate with just two hectares of vines and literally built the estate from scratch. Now he is up to 10 hectares and a ripe 27 years of age, making wines that are honest and clean. This is classic Verdicchio – pretty, but not delicate – it bounces around in your mouth, waking up the palate and encouraging you to keep sipping. The palate is intense, with lemon pith, and salty/flinty mineral notes. More serious than poolside chugging, but fantastic as an aperitivo, or paired with all manner of fish, poultry and veg.