Masseria Cuturi

This is a gorgeous and important example of Fiano, featuring the variety Minutolo, which has been around since the 1200’s and is native to Puglia, but was commonly confused with Fiano in the past and was called Fiano Aromatico, Fiano Minutolo, or Fiano di Puglia, always noted for its surprisingly aromatic expression. In the early 2000’s it was discovered to be its own distinct variety and its presence in this vineyard comes through beautifully, especially the second day the wine’s been opened, as I found these beguiling aromas of white musk and apple blossom that were so novel to my wine-tasting experience that I worried it was a new soap I was wearing, but visiting the wine again the next day and day after I could confirm, this wine boasts a genuinely unique and enchanting aroma.

Those musky florals are complemented by a core of ripe pear and apple that develops into quince and more ethereally vague floral high notes. On the palate, hints of rose, jasmine and apple blossom join a high acid, medium-bodied wine with a nicely rounded texture and citrus pith quality from the lees at work. The wine offers promise for the patient cellar keeper as well—I’ll be curious to see where that floral musk goes in a few years!