Matthiasson Ribolla Gialla 2022

Matthiasson Ribolla Gialla 2022

Matthiasson
$48.00

Grape: Ribolla Gialla
Vintage: 2022
Type: Orange

Grown on seven rows of their organic home estate in the Western Oak Knoll area, this white skin-contact wine highlights ribolla gialla. Steve and Jill Matthiasson grafted these ancient Friulian vines onto fifteen-year-old rootstocks rooted in deep clay loam soils. The hand-harvested grapes undergo a traditional two-week skin maceration during fermentation, absorbing color and structural complexity without modern chemical corrections. The liquid matures for eighteen months on its fine lees inside seasoned neutral French oak barriques.

It radiates a deep amber-gold hue, releasing unique aromas of roasted hazelnut, Meyer lemon curd, and baking spices. On the palate, a crystalline tannic grip masterfully anchors the wine's moderate eleven-point-five percent alcohol framework. A rock-solid core of stony minerality cuts straight through the mid-palate, balancing the waxy, rich weight of the orchard fruit. Subtle notes of dried herbs develop nicely across the textured texture. It finishes bone-dry, leaving a persistent mineral trace.

Matthiasson is one of the quiet intellectual centers of contemporary Napa Valley. Steve and Jill Klein Matthiasson built their estate around organic farming, restrained winemaking and a belief that California wine can be ripe, fresh and table-ready at the same time. Steve's background as a viticultural consultant gives the wines an unusually agricultural foundation, while the cellar work avoids excess oak, alcohol and manipulation. Their range includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla, Refosco and inventive white blends, all marked by energy, savory detail and a Mediterranean sense of balance that feels refreshingly human for Napa.