Giusti: Where the Winery Becomes the Landscape
Hailing from a stunning new winery built in the shape of the surrounding, undulating hills with vines planted atop the roof, the innovative architecture certainly fits with founder Ermenegildo Giusti's construction business background. This striking building is not the only on the property; just 1,100 yards away is the Abbey of Sant'Eustachio, a Romanesque structure built in 1000 CE. The pair create a compelling reason to visit and take a stroll through the Treviso vineyards with a glass of wine in hand. These two Giusti wines offer enjoyable and immediate drinking at reasonable prices.
Red
88
Giusti 2017 Recantina Montello-Colli Asolani 13% $21
This is one of the few, varietal examples of Recantina, an old, local black grape that has recently been revived. Don't miss a chance to taste it!
Dark from the purple-tinged core to the brilliant magenta rim, this heady, scented red intrigues with its aromas of mulberry and blueberry jam accompanied by an underlying earthiness. Broad on the attack with a imposing presence on the palate, this hefty red shows generous extraction. Amply supported by mouthwatering acidity, the lightly chewy tannins sit in the background. The moderate finish flashes with wild cherry flavors and an enticing hint of very Italian bitterness. Aged 14 months in large Slovenian botti, there's no obvious new wood imprint here. This will make for pleasant mid-term drinking, with or without food.
Drink: 2021-23
Sparkling
87
Giusti NV Prosecco Asolo Superiore Extra Brut 11.5% $18
Very pale yellow - almost clear with a wee yellow tinge, this delicate Prosecco has a light and restrained nose. The wine seems to tiptoe around aromas and flavors, offering only the barest glimmers lemon, peach, tree blooms and celery as the wine warms up. More positively, the wine is as fresh as a daisy with good purity, pinpoint tiny beads and racy acidity that meshes nicely with the pleasantly bracing, Extra Brut dryness (under 6 g/L of residual sugar). The structure is seamless. Just a bit more flavor, per favore!
Drink: Through 2021