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In the commune of Capriva del Friuli, in the heart of the Collio Goriziano wine area on the border of Slovenia, is the estate of Russiz Superiore. Russiz as a place-name is traced back at least as far as 1273, when a certain Raimondo della Torre became the patriarch of Aquileia (basically, prince-bishop of Friuli). He named his estate Russiz Superiore due to its high (superior) location above the hamlet of Russiz. The estate passed through innumerable hands over the next several centuries, but was apparently known for most of that time as a source of fine winegrapes. In 1967, the property became available for sale. Marco Felluga—owner of a self-named winery in the nearby town of Gradisca d’Isonzo—recognized the superb potential of the vineyard land and bought it. He knew the estate, already famed for its Cabernet Franc, could become the jewel of the family holdings. So, rather than folding Russiz Superiore into the family’s existing vineyards, he decided to maintain it as a separate working estate, vinified and bottled as a distinct brand.
Marco Felluga represented the fourth generation of a wine merchant family that had begun plying its trade in Istria (part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire) in the late 1800s. His grandfather had begun selling wine in Friuli after World War I, and the family ended up relocating permanently to Italian Friuli after World War II and the loss of Istria to the Soviet Bloc under Yugoslavia. Marco Felluga had founded his winery in Gradisca d’Isonzo in 1956 and was ready to expand with the purchase of Russiz Superiore a decade later.
Roberto Felluga, son of Marco, has now taken over the family wine business and continues the practice of treating Russiz Superiore as a unique estate within the portfolio. Russiz Superiore wines use only estate-grown fruit—with several native and international grape varieties, mainly white but also red. To further distinguish the Russiz Superiore line, the white wines generally have about 15–20% of the juice fermented in new oak barrels. Like the Marco Felluga line, they are designed to improve with age for several years. The well-respected Cabernet Franc vines also produce an excellent red wine for the portfolio.
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LOCATIONWINERY: Capriva del Friuli (Gorizia province), Friuli–Venezia Giulia VINEYARD: Capriva del Friuli (Gorizia province), Friuli–Venezia Giulia VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS REGION DETAILS |
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90
JANUARY 2021
Russiz Superiore Friulano Collio DOC 2019
 The 2019 Friulano is refined and perfumed, displaying a mix of white and yellow flowers before giving way to notes of stone dust and ripe peach. It’s silky in texture, coasting across a complex blend of salty minerals and savory spice, as sour green melon contrasts with ripe apple. Lemon citrus with an herbal twang resonates, making for a perfect end to a lovely experience. 93
AUGUST 2021
Russiz Superiore Pinot Bianco Collio DOC Riserva 2016
 Chamomile, apple pie, smoked almonds, dried lemons and salted caramel on the nose. It’s full-bodied, rich and buttery with a backbone of bright acidity. So concentrated and flavorful with lingering, toasty notes. Drink now. 92
JANUARY 2021
Russiz Superiore Sauvignon Collio DOC Riserva 2016
The 2016 Sauvignon Riserva shows a tropical display of citrus and florals before evolving further with notes of exotic spice, white smoke and dried apricot. There are tremendous depths to its silky textures, perfectly contrasted by brilliant acid and lifting minerality, with ripe orchard fruits that soothe the senses. The palate buzzes with energetic tension through the finale with an inner air of heather and savory herbs. 90
AUGUST 2020
Russiz Superiore “Col Disôre” Collio DOC Bianco 2016
 A light- to medium-bodied white, round and creamy, with ripe acidity framing the apple tarte Tatin, ginger-infused pastry cream and lime blossom notes. Offers a pretty, aromatic finish. Pinot Bianco. Drink now through 2023. 1,333 cases made, 25 cases imported. 94
FEBRUARY 2021
Russiz Superiore Sauvignon Collio DOC Riserva 2016
 A release of some 4,000 bottles, the Russiz Superiore 2016 Collio Sauvignon Riserva is creamy and honey-like in intensity with tropical layers of papaya and pomelo with sweet almond and pastry cream. This is a mild, mid-weight wine with a silky and polished finish that lasts long on the palate. The wine delivers density and weight on the palate, something you don't usually get with Sauvignon Blanc. You could dedicate this bottle to a more sophisticated plate of scallops with a saffron cream sauce. 91
OCTOBER 2020
Russiz Superiore Pinot Bianco Collio DOC 2018
An elegant white, finely knit and fresh, with a spine of sleek acidity and a spicy mineral underpinning, this is light- to medium-bodied, offering flavors of Fuji apple, spring blossom and star fruit. Hints of pastry cream and smoke play on the supple finish. Drink now through 2025. 2,000 cases made, 30 cases imported. 95
MAY 2020
Russiz Superiore Sauvignon Collio DOC Riserva 2016
 WINE ENTHUSIAST TOP 100 2020 - #40 A benchmark for Italian whites, this wine opens with inviting aromas of honeydew melon, exotic fruit, aromatic herb and a whiff of baking spice. On the delicious, polished palate, fresh acidity accompanies ripe apricot, white peach, gooseberry, cantaloupe and pastry cream before a lingering lemon-drop finale. 90
NOVEMBER 2020
Russiz Superiore Cabernet Franc Collio DOC 2017
 The 2017 Russiz Superiore Cabernet Franc, also from the Collio DOC. This wine took a day before I could truly appreciate it: fresh red-fruits aromas and lively cranberry-herbal-mineral flavors in a dry, medium-bodied red with grainy tannins, supple texture and good concentration. It is enjoyable now, but I’d give it two years to show at its best, considering how much my appreciation for the wine evolved overnight. |
