AZIENDA VITIVINICOLA I VINI DI EMILIO BULFON Valeriano, Friuli
2013 was one of the great ‘Bulfon’ vintages, on a par with his excellent wines of 2009 and 2006. A little research will uncover a truth though that this trio are not numbered amongst the legendary vintages of Italy’s North East, however this pocket of land between Valeriano and Pinzano has a unique microclimate tempered by sea, mountains and rivers. The whites are complex and floral and the reds balance ripe forest fruit with floral and mineral elements. The only down side is that this is a small yielding vintage so we do not have as much as usual, please don’t wait too long to claim your allocation. The estate is a part of the Friuli’s rich heritage, the vines responsible for Snr. Bulfon’s wines have an ancient history. Many unusually named vines share DNA with a more famous cousin, here this is not the case: the vines are mostly named after the local villages where they were once popular and their demise has had more to do with the re-organisation of local agriculture than with their vineous qualities. Snr. Bulfon’s inquisitive character is responsible for the resurgence of interest in the wines from these hills above the ‘Grave’ region. Sadly, there is no DOC for this part of the Friuli and not all the varieties are even included in the official list of recommended varieties, so ironically whilst Emilio Bulfon has received the sincerest thanks and the highest awards from the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, the wines retain the humble classification of ‘Vino da Tavola’ (table wine). For us, this is probably a good thing as it makes his wines staggeringly good value! It is a tiny estate, in a good year the total output may top 60,000 bottles, just a few thousand of each wine. Bulfon website
Bat and Bottle, 18D Oakham Enterprise Park, Oakham. LE15 7TU 01572 759735 – post@batwine.co.uk
If you get the chance, I highly recommend staying at their Agriturismo just along the road from the cantina, it has comfortable rooms, an outdoor pool and backs onto the CividĂŹn vineyard; bikes are provided and it is a short drive from San Daniele and Spilimbergo. Agriturismo website
Bat and Bottle, 18D Oakham Enterprise Park, Oakham. LE15 7TU 01572 759735 – post@batwine.co.uk
THE TWELVE BOTTLE BULFON MIXED CASE
£155.00 BUY
2 bottles each wine
THE SIX BOTTLE BULFON MIXED CASE
£79.00 BUY
1 bottles of each wine
SCIAGLÌN 2013
BLANC DI SANZUAN 2013
BLANC DE RUGEL 2013
CIANORÔS 2013
PICULÌT NERI 2013
ROS DI SANZUÀN 2013
(details below)
Bat and Bottle, 18D Oakham Enterprise Park, Oakham. LE15 7TU 01572 759735 – post@batwine.co.uk
BULFON MIXED CASE WINES
SCIAGLÌN 2013 Single vineyard dry white made from Sciaglìn The 2013 is a tight, focused wine with refreshing grapefruit, lime and greengage fruit, some lovely soft peach, wild honey and jasmine, just a touch of bitter lemon on the finish. A bright, pure stylish wine with the intensity to flatter a clam risotto.
BLANC DI SANZUAN 2013 A single vineyard dry white wine made from Cividìn Cividìn is an ancient vine from the valleys of Cividale. From one vintage to another it is always lovely, but the flavour spectrum can veer wildly. In 2013 the aromas on this wine are irresistible, the taste evokes pineapple, lime and mango fruit, delicate ripe herb and a crisp mineral finish. Delicious now though it will continue to develop well for at least another
three years. BLANC DE RUGEL 2013 A single vineyard dry white wine made from Ucelùt Ucelùt is an aromatic variety historically planted around the edges of vineyards to keep the workers energy up as well as divert other local wildlife from the main crop, especially birds. It is now very rare and is usually made into a sweet wine. This dry white is however a deeply flavoured, beautiful wine with spice, grapefruit and floral elements – it is without doubt the most serious white wine that Bulfon has released, there is a firm mineral core, lovely lees-y richness and even a little tannic grip. A wine that I look forward to following as it ages.
Bat and Bottle, 18D Oakham Enterprise Park, Oakham. LE15 7TU 01572 759735 – post@batwine.co.uk
BULFON MIXED CASE WINES
CIANORÔS 2013 A single vineyard dry red wine made from Cjanorìe Cjanorìe is an extraordinary vine, it has never been intensively cultivated and today it is all but extinct. The wine varies subtly from vintage to vintage, the 2013 is wonderfully pure, the raspberry fruit is so ripe and the tannin is almost non-existent. There is simply nothing not to love, the original Californian blonde.
PICULÌT NERI 2013 From two small vineyards near Pinzano, a dry red wine made from Piculìt Neri This vine takes its name from it’s small dark bunches, it is the signature wine of the cantina and consistently the best. The tannins have a silky texture, reminiscent of a Burgundy, the fruit is rich raspberry and blackcurrant with delicate cedar and Cassis. The 2013 will develop beautifully over 5-7 years and is well suited to lamb and beef dishes.
ROS DI SANZUÀN 2013 A single vineyard dry red wine made from Cordenossa Cordenossa is originally from Zoppola on the western shores of the river Tagliamento, it is ancient and as yet undiscovered by the modern wine world. A rich red with brooding dark damson and sloe, laced with ripe herb and mineral elements and soft tannins. An easy wine to drink, food is not a pre-requisite though this wine is a treat with simple pasta dishes
Bat and Bottle, 18D Oakham Enterprise Park, Oakham. LE15 7TU 01572 759735 – post@batwine.co.uk
Very limited availability PECÒL RÒS ‘LA SANTISSIMA’ 2013 A single vineyard dry red made from Refosco, Piculìt Neri, Forgiarìn and Cjanorìe Made entirely from local varieties: Refosco del Peduncolo Rosso, Piculìt Neri, Forgiarìn and Cjanorìe all grown on the terraced Pecòl vineyard (whose history is documented in Napoleon’s land registry). The other part of the wine’s name comes from a nearby church, Santissima Trinità. The Refosco in particular adds some oriental spice and pepper, lifting the ripe, supple berry fruit to a level of some grandeur without sacrificing any of the fun. £ 15.50 bottle £ 84.90 case (6x75cl) for a limited time
MOSCATO ROSA 2013 Moscato Rosa Venezia Giulia IGT A single vineyard sweet dark rosé, made from Moscato Rosa. Moscato Rosa is originally from Istria, the triangle of land mostly within Croatia, south of Trieste. Small plantings can still be found in the Südtirol, Trentino and Friuli. Bulfon has developed his Moscato Rosa from a late harvest into a partial appassimento wine. This has intensified the flavours, it coats your taste buds in honeyed strawberry, rose and Turkish delight, an immaculate pudding wine. £ 16.50 bottle (50cl) £ 90.00 case (6x50cl) for a limited time
Bat and Bottle, 18D Oakham Enterprise Park, Oakham. LE15 7TU 01572 759735 – post@batwine.co.uk