Garofoli Supera Verdicchio Di Matelica 2022 750ml
Description
The 2022 Supera from Garofoli represents a magnificent expression of Verdicchio from the cooler, higher-altitude Matelica denomination, where this noble variety achieves its greatest complexity and longevity. From select hillside vineyards where limestone soils and continental climate create ideal conditions for Verdicchio, comes a wine that showcases why many consider Matelica to produce the finest expressions of this variety. Supera demonstrates Garofoli’s commitment to crafting serious, age-worthy whites that rival Italy’s best.
The wine displays a bright straw color with subtle golden reflections. The nose is immediately complex and distinctive, offering the classic Verdicchio combination of citrus and almond elevated to another level. Meyer lemon, green apple, and white peach create the aromatic foundation, enhanced by pronounced notes of bitter almond, white flowers, and fresh herbs. What distinguishes Matelica Verdicchio is its mineral intensity – crushed stones, chalk, and a subtle smokiness that adds tremendous complexity. As the wine opens, notes of honey, chamomile, and anise emerge.
On the palate, Supera delivers exceptional depth and structure for Verdicchio. The texture is rich and almost creamy, yet maintains the variety’s characteristic freshness thanks to vibrant acidity. The fruit expression is pure and concentrated – citrus, green apple, and pear – but it’s the complexity of secondary flavors that elevates this wine. Bitter almond, the signature of great Verdicchio, provides a thread throughout, complemented by notes of white tea, herbs, and intense minerality. The wine shows remarkable density and length, with flavors that seem to expand and evolve on the palate.
Garofoli’s approach with Supera involves meticulous selection of the finest parcels and careful winemaking to preserve complexity while building structure. Extended lees contact adds texture and depth, while careful temperature control maintains the wine’s essential freshness. The result is a Verdicchio that transcends the variety’s usual role as a simple seafood wine, offering instead a complex, contemplative experience that can stand alongside Italy’s greatest whites.
The finish is remarkably long and complex, with that characteristic almond note persisting alongside citrus, herbs, and mineral flavors. This is a wine built for aging – while showing beautifully now, it has the structure and concentration to evolve magnificently over the next decade. It pairs wonderfully with richer seafood preparations, white meats, or aged cheeses, but has the complexity to be thoroughly enjoyed on its own.
For those seeking to understand the full potential of Verdicchio, this Supera offers a revelation, demonstrating why Matelica is increasingly recognized as one of Italy’s premier white wine appellations.
- Producer
- Garofoli
