Castellaro Bianco Pomice 2017

92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"The 2017 Bianco Pomice is a delightful white wine with an extremely graceful and fast-footed bouquet. You get lots of little detail here with white fruit, citrus, crushed stone and powdered oyster shell. The wine is streamlined and tight in terms of mouthfeel with a direct, sharp and beautifully focused approach. Salty mineral tones characterize the tonic and fresh finish. I just love this crisp and light style of white wine. The blend is 60% Malvasia delle Lipari (in stainless steel) and 40% oak-aged Carricante. Some 15,000 bottles were made."

Jancis Robinson
"60% Malvasia delle Lipari, 40% Carricante grown on sandy volcanic soils on the island of Lipari. Densely planted bush vines (9,000/ha). Direct pressing of grapes in pneumatic presses. No must clarification, only static settling at 16 °C, fermentation at about 20 °C in steel vats (Malvasia) and barrels (Carricante). Six months in barrels with lees stirring. The wine is decanted repeatedly to obtain natural clarification and then bottled.
Intensely stony citrus entwined with a richer and lightly floral, stone-fruit aroma from the Malvasia. Creamy texture from the oak and lees but not in the least oaky, the breadth in the mouth also from the Malvasia, I think. This has fabulous depth and density and yet remains so fresh and refreshing with a long, stony but also crisply citrus finish, even a hint of orange pith on the finish and the merest suggestion of grainy texture like fresh pears. 17.5/20 points. (JH)"

Vinous Reverie Notes
Winery: Aroma and elegance crossed by a subtle but perceptible and savoury salty texture that makes it unique. An aroma that unleash a great balance. It was 2008 when we released the first vintage of our reference white wine and nothing has been the same again. Bianco Pomice is our flagship white wine. It was born from a combination of two very different varieties, which blend perfectly and complement each other, enhanced by the volcanic soil of Lipari. Dry white wine, it has a great finesse and delicacy, both olfactory and sip: we can find notes of citrus and wild flowers, with fruity and almond hints. It is enveloping and it has a long and lasting taste.

In 2005, partners Massimo Lentsch and Stefania Frattolillo were inspired to establish a brand new winery overlooking the Mediterranean and other islands of the archipelago while on a morning walk on the Piana di Castellaro on Lipari. The winery was designed incorporating the natural resources, construction traditions and history of Lipari while at the same time utilizing modern natural techniques including the use of a solar chimney, a wind tower and a thermal labyrinth all of which act as a natural air conditioning system to ensure a constant temperature and humidity level in the winery. In the vineyards, Tenuta di Castellaro practices organic agriculture. The vines are trained in the “alberello” (little tree) system where head trained bush vines are planted at very high density. Each plant is a “quinconce” planting, meaning each vine is at the apex of an equilateral triangle guaranteeing total equal 360° exposure to all weather events and taking advantage of the temperate, warm Mediterranean climate with its extreme daily temperature shifts. The soils of the Piana di Castellaro are sandy, deep volcanic soils—very fertile and rich in microelements. This combination of soil and climate are ideal for organic viticulture.