Bellavista Franciacorta Brut Vintage 2013

Beautiful aromas of sliced apple, pear and lemon rind. Full-bodied, dense and very rich with cooked apple, pie crust and crème brûlée. Slightly oily but remains fresh and clean. A complex, rich sparkling wine. Drink now

Bellavista's 2010 Franciacorta Brut marks an impressive effort by this historic and widely successful estate in Italy's number one classic method sparkling wine region. Unlike its peers, this wine shows a direct and massively confident aromatic delivery with candied almond paste, exotic fruit, pine nut, baked bread and orange jelly. It's all very unique and appealing in every manner. Soft effervesce adds to the wine's rich, creamy mouthfeel. This Brut, made with 72% Chardonnay and 28% Pinot Nero, delivers the goods.

Tasted Sept 2015 - A touch more developed on the nose than the Alma Brut NV. Attractive dusty, stony freshness over the bright lemon fruit. Subtle yeasty notes and perhaps some oak influence? Or is that just a cedary freshness? Creamy texture, fine mousse and well balanced. Seems relatively gentle. (JH)