Dried mangoes, fine herbs, flowers and a hint of oolong tea. Fruity and medium-sweet with a juicy mid-palate. Yet, it lacks a bit of concentration. Fruity finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.

This is a very special dessert wine and one that evokes a deep sense of place. Packaged in a precious 500-milliliter bottle, the Barberani 2019 Orvieto Classico Superiore Muffa Nobile Calcaia is one of the gems of Umbrian winemaking. Botrytis cinerea is a characteristic of lakeside vineyards near Orvieto in an area that sees morning fog and light summer mists. This vintage offers distinct aromas of tea leaf, or almost a dry tobacco leaf, with sage, candied orange skin, pine nut and toasted almond. There are earthy sensation as well, and the finish is delicately sweet with sultana raisins or dried apricot. The blend used is Grechetto with smaller parts Trebbiano and Procanico.

The area around Lake Corbara in Umbria is one of the few spots in Italy that regularly delivers manageable Botrytis cinerea to its grapes. These unique climatic conditions require just the right level of humidity, heat and wind to allow for some so-called noble rot, but not too much as to overwhelm the delicate nature of the fruit. This wine, the 2015 Orvieto Classico Superiore Muffa Nobile Calcaia, registers high on a list of Italian wines that meets all these terribly tenuous growing conditions. The wine offers beautifully fragrant aromas of peach, white flower, honey and some button mushroom at the back. Made in half bottles (or 500-milliliters), production is 15,000 strong. The blend of fruit used is 80% Grechetto with smaller parts Trebbiano and Procanico. No oak is used.

White peach puree and chamomile flavors are set in a well-balanced, vibrant frame in this creamy dessert wine. Accents of spun honey and ground cardamom and ginger spice enrich the finish. Drink now through 2024. 500 cases made, 150 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Italy / Orvieto Classico Select to Add

The words Muffa Nobile have been taken off the front label, although this vintage sees full Botrytis Cinerea, just like in past years. The delicious 2014 Orvieto Classico Superiore Calcaia (500 milliliters) is a fabulous dessert wine from Umbria and one that I highly recommend. The wine is so robust and generous, it sails clear past any problems associated with the difficult growing season. It does so with robust confidence and personality. The wine opens to a beautiful golden color and amber hues. The bouquet delivers honey, dried apricot, white raisin and candied fruit. The mouthfeel is honey-like in intensity. Some 15,000 bottles were produced, so it's not too hard getting your hands on this special sweet wine.