2024 La Scolca - Gavi DOCG Gavi dei Gavi Black Label (750ml)

First introduced in 1966, La Scolca’s Gavi dei Gavi Black Label established the modern standard for Piedmont Cortese by utilizing temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation to preserve the grape’s fragile aromatic compounds. This 2024 vintage sources fruit exclusively from sixty-year-old estate vines planted across a fractured mosaic of clay, limestone-rich marl, and alluvial gravels in the Rovereto commune. Cool nighttime air from the nearby Ligurian coast keeps harvest sugars balanced while driving phenolic ripeness, ensuring the final wine retains high natural acidity.

Native yeasts initiate fermentation at low temperatures, after which the clear must sits on its fine lees for nine months without oxygen exposure or barrel contact. This extended maturation builds a rounded mid-palate while amplifying savory complexity. The 2024 pours a pale yellow-green spectrum offering immediate layers of green apple, pear, and blood orange zest. Mid-palate notes shift toward chalky flint, dried fennel, and toasted almond, anchored by a crisp, saline finish that sustains length.

Match this wine with raw bar staples like Kumamoto oysters, grilled branzino dressed with Ligurian olive oil, or saffron-infused shellfish risotto. Herb-roasted chicken or turkey complements its moderate weight, while young robiola cheese highlights its herbal undertones. Chill to 9–11°C prior to service, pour into a white wine glass, and allow ten minutes of breathing time so the restrained mineral backbone can fully express itself alongside each course.