{"product_id":"ca-dei-frati-2023-lugana-brolettino-doc-750ml","title":"Ca' dei Frati 2023 Lugana Brolettino DOC 750ml","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eCa' dei Frati — \"House of the Friars\" — takes its name from roots on the southern shore of Lake Garda dating back to 1782. The Dal Cero family moved to the property in 1939 and quickly recognized what few others in the region had: that the well-drained alluvial soil deposited by the same glacier that carved out Italy's largest lake, combined with the lake's own moderating proximity, made this an ideal place to grow serious white wine. The family played a key role in creating the Lugana DOC in the late 1960s, and today, having grown from a modest holding into the largest vineyard owner in the entire denomination, they remain — by wide consensus — the finest producer working in Lugana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eBrolettino is their single-vineyard flagship, made entirely from Turbiana — a regional clone of Verdicchio also known as Trebbiano di Lugana — grown on a specific plot planted in 1971 on clay soils near Sirmione. Where most Lugana producers train their vines high and crop generously, Ca' dei Frati trains theirs low, plants at higher density, and deliberately restricts yields to concentrate flavor and terroir expression. Winemaker Igino Dal Cero is, by every account, obsessed with detail: fruit is entirely hand-picked, with no skin contact preserved to protect the wine's delicate perfume, malolactic fermentation deliberately inhibited to preserve lift and freshness, and an extended post-fermentation lees-aging period that Dal Cero believes gives the wine both greater richness and the distinctive flintiness that lends Brolettino what more than one merchant has called a genuinely Burgundian quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe 2023 earned an extraordinary run of critical acclaim. Decanter awarded 95 Points and Gold, praising the wine's opulence and golden highlights. James Suckling awarded 94 Points, describing \"an intense wine full of stone-fruit aromas such as white peaches as well as broom flowers and waxy depth.\" Wine Spectator's Alison Napjus awarded 91 Points, highlighting its sleek, minerally underpinning and a rich push of lime blossom, toast, and vanilla flavors. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel before half the wine moves into small 225-liter French oak barriques for ten months, the oak here is beautifully integrated rather than dominant — pale gold in color, opening with stone fruit and a touch of vanilla spice, the palate rich with peach and a creamy, honeyed texture lifted throughout by genuine stony minerality. Serious stuff, from the most serious producer working the southern shore of Garda.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eCa' dei Frati — \"House of the Friars\" — traces its roots to 1782 on the southern shore of Lake Garda, near the town of Sirmione. The Dal Cero family arrived in 1939 and recognized the exceptional potential of the terroir: well-drained alluvial soil deposited by the same glacier responsible for carving Lake Garda itself, moderating vine vigor, while the lake's proximity tempers summer heat — together producing conditions ideal for fine white wine. The family played a central role in establishing the Lugana DOC in the late 1960s and has since grown from 12 hectares in 1987 to over 160 hectares today, following a major vineyard acquisition in 2008, making them the largest vineyard holders in the entire denomination. The estate's quality is driven by the meticulous work of brothers Franco Dal Cero, who oversees the vineyards, and Igino Dal Cero, responsible for winemaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eBrolettino is Ca' dei Frati's single-vineyard Lugana, made from Turbiana vines planted in 1971 on clay soils, trained under single and double Guyot systems with yields deliberately restricted to around eight tonnes per hectare — well below the regional average. Fruit is hand-harvested with no skin contact, preserving delicate aromatics and enhancing the wine's texture. Malolactic fermentation is deliberately inhibited to give the wine additional lift. Fermentation begins in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, after which roughly half the wine is transferred to small 225-liter French oak barriques for ten months, while the remainder stays in stainless steel until the final blend is assembled — with malolactic conversion, where it occurs, completing in barrel. Extended aging on lees post-fermentation contributes both palate richness and the flinty, Burgundian-style character that distinguishes Brolettino from more straightforward Lugana bottlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecanter — 95 Points, Gold:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePraised for its opulence and golden highlights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Suckling — 94 Points:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"An intense wine full of stone-fruit aromas such as white peaches as well as broom flowers and waxy depth.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine Spectator (Alison Napjus) — 91 Points:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHighlighted for its sleek, minerally underpinning and a rich push of lime blossom, toast, and vanilla flavors.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePale gold with elegant golden reflections. Intense stone-fruit aromas lead — white peaches and yellow apples — alongside broom flowers and fleshy rose petals. A touch of vanilla spice from the oak ageing rounds out the aromatic profile, with fresh, balsamic nuances and a distinctive waxy depth adding complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRich peach characters carry the entry with genuine intensity and concentration, supported by a creamy, honeyed texture. Lime blossom, toast, and vanilla add layered depth from the barrique component, while stony minerality lifts and structures the entire palate — a sleek, mineral backbone running beneath the wine's richness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFresh, intense, and concentrated, closing with lingering minerality and a delicate, persistent aftertaste. Balanced acidity keeps the wine lively despite its richness — a genuinely elegant and savory close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto w-full px-2 mb-6\"\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"min-w-full border-collapse text-sm leading-[1.7] whitespace-normal\"\u003e\n\u003cthead class=\"text-left\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.6)] py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eCategory\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.6)] py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppellation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eLugana DOC — Lombardy, Italy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariety\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e100% Turbiana (Trebbiano di Lugana \/ regional Verdicchio clone)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e2023\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eCa' dei Frati — Sirmione, southern shore of Lake Garda\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eDal Cero family — arrived 1939\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstate History\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eRoots to 1782; helped establish Lugana DOC in the late 1960s\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eSingle vineyard, planted 1971\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoils\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eClay, alluvial, glacially deposited\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYield\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e~8 tonnes\/hectare\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTraining\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eSingle and double Guyot, low-trained, high density\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eHand-picked, no skin contact\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFermentation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eStainless steel, temperature controlled\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOak\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e~50% aged 10 months in 225L French barriques\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMalolactic\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eInhibited in tank component; completes in barrel for oaked portion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eDecanter 95 Points, Gold · James Suckling 94 Points · Wine Spectator 91 Points\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle \/ Identity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eRich, oak-integrated, mineral-driven Lugana — Burgundian in character\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromas \u0026amp; Flavors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eWhite peach, broom flower, rose petal, vanilla, lime blossom, toast, honeyed minerality\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e750ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSteamed sole with caper butter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eRisotto al pesce persico (perch risotto)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMatured goat's cheese\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLegume soups and white-sauce first courses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eWhite meats, medium-aged cheeses, fish, and shellfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Southern","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43938576171074,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0363\/8621\/files\/Ca_dei_Frati_2023_Lugana_Brolettino_DOC_750ml.jpg?v=1783440178","url":"https:\/\/www.blackwellswines.com\/products\/ca-dei-frati-2023-lugana-brolettino-doc-750ml","provider":"Blackwell's Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}