The 2021 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Podium is delicate and coy, requiring coaxing to release its pretty bouquet of young peach, raw almonds and sweet smoke. This is elegant, with textures of pure silky and admirable weight, yet maintains marvelous energy throughout. Fresh acidity and saline minerals enliven its rich, ripe nectarine and pear core. The 2021 finishes long and staining, leaving a youthful tension as vanilla custard and candied citrus fade. While perfectly enjoyable today, this is a vintage for the cellar. It bears mentioning that the Podium is produced without any oak, only stainless steel and cement, so we are tasting pure fruit.

Aromas of spearmint, almond and a hint of fennel. Medium-full with impressive concentration, there is notable persistence, good acidity and excellent varietal character. Quite dry in the finish with green herbal notes. Enjoy over the next 5-7 years.

The Garofoli 2016 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Podium sees fruit from an important single vineyard that has been fermented separately since this wine was first made in 1991. With those years of experience under their belts, the winemaking team has successfully harnessed the primary freshness and purity of the Verdicchio grape. This is especially evident in a classic vintage such as 2016. Aromas of citrus, pear, saffron and crushed aniseed rise delicately from the bouquet. Some 45,000 bottles were made.

The color on the 2011 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Podium stands out before anything else, showing a brilliant golden straw laced with green hues. The bouquet follows suit, with an extroverted display of honeyed yellow flowers, tropical citrus, mango and cream. There’s the slight twang of heat toward the close with a hint of hazelnut that lingers long. While I’m craving a bit more energy here, it’s hard to deny the seductive nature of the warm 2011 vintage.

The 2016 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Podium from Garofoli is just starting to show a bit of mellowing on the nose, opening to notes of ripe yellow apple, sweet florals, almond paste and stone dust. It soothes with silky textures, ushering in flavors of white peach, laced with salty minerals and a twang of green citrus. There’s so much density, giving way to a savory spiciness that lingers in the mouth along with hints of hazelnut. The 2016 has many years to go before reaching full maturity, but it can be enjoyed now on its potential alone.

The 2019 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Macrina is zesty and fresh, punching well above its price point. Here I’m finding pretty yellow flowers, hints of smoke, lime-infused apple and savory herbs. It’s soft yet juicy and full of lively tension, showing ripe orchard fruits offset by yellow citrus and building mineral tones toward the close. The palate literally aches for another sip throughout the cheek-puckering and floral finale.

The sweetly scented 2022 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Macrina presents a pretty bouquet of wildflowers, minty herbs and Asian pear. This soothes with its soft textures and medium-bodied weight as ripe pit fruits swirl across a stream of lively acidity. Crunchy mineral tones linger as the 2022 finishes crisply refreshing and perfumed.

The Montepulciano grape is considered one of Italy’s best grapes for Rosato wines.  Garofoli’s Rosato boasts an orangish pink color and peach, Meyer lemon aromas with a saline note.  In the mouth, the wine is lean and crisp with peach, citrus flavors that linger on the tongue.  Pair it with  grilled halibut or sushi.  Innkeeper Antonio Garofoli, started making wines in 1871 to serve Christian Pilgrims visiting the Basilica della Santa Casa in the town of Loreto in the Marche region of Italy.  In the early 1900s, his son, Gioacchino, created a winery and today, members of the fourth generation, brothers Carlo and Gianfranco Garofoli and their children run the winery.  They specialize in Trebbiano and Montepulciano grapes with a smaller amount of Sangiovese and Trebbiano Toscano.  The Piancarda vineyard is where they grow their best Montepulciano grapes, some destined for their Rosso Cònero DOC, and others specially grown for the Rosato.