Bianco di Custoza

Family-run Monte del Frà translates as “Hill of Monks” and is located in the heart of the Bianco di Custoza DOC, just to the south of Lake Garda. It has over 205 hectares of vineyards, and is now run by Maria, Eligio and Claudio Bonomo. The Ca’ del Magro, their flagship white, is the jewel in the winery’s range, made from a single vineyard in the heart of Custoza.

The soil is poor and thin here, resulting in a wine of great concentration and terroir transparency. The grape varieties are vinified separately and rest on their lees for several months, gaining in both texture and complexity. In the glass, the wine is golden with an enveloping bouquet of grilled nuts and yellow peach characters. The white stone-fruit character is lifted by mineral notes. Drink now to 2025.

This is a classic Amarone, coming from Monte Del Frà’s Lena di Mezzo estate on the hilly clay and limestone soils of Fumane. It is a blend of Corvina and Rondinella, which were harvested in the middle of October. The nose is rich, earthy and luxurious with aromas of plum, liquorice and clove. The palate is full and dark with kirsch cherry fruit, cinnamon, leather and tobacco. 

Vague, blossomy cloud of a nose, pear drops. A gentle, soft wine that tastes of white flowers, and fruit-flavoured candy. Without strong character but easy to drink and it provides a useful canvas for a meal in which you want the food to play the leading role, and also surprisingly good with white asparagus. 
Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com. 19th May 2017.