Ca dei Frati Lugana Brolettino 2024

Ca’ dei Frati Lugana Brolettino 2024 is a refined expression of Turbiana that showcases the richness and aging potential of this Lake Garda white. More opulent and structured than the estate’s classic Lugana, Brolettino is crafted for those who enjoy texture, depth and complexity in their whites. Born on the southern shores of Lake Garda, this cuvée has become a benchmark for barrel-aged Lugana and a reference point for serious Italian white wine.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Brolettino 2024 typically shows a luminous straw-yellow hue with golden reflections that hint at its concentration and time on lees and in wood. The nose is immediately inviting, offering ripe stone fruit such as peach and apricot, alongside yellow plum, candied citrus peel and floral notes of acacia and chamomile. Subtle layers of vanilla, sweet spice, almond and a gentle toastiness reveal its time in oak, all wrapped in a Mediterranean freshness. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and creamy yet finely balanced by a vibrant, saline acidity that is a signature of Lugana’s mineral-rich soils. Flavors of ripe peach, tangerine, baked apple and pear mingle with hints of hazelnut, honey, vanilla pod and a faint smokiness. The finish is long, savory and subtly spicy, with a lingering almond and citrus zest note. Brolettino is built to evolve: while it is enjoyable in its youth for its richness and fruit, it can develop beautifully over 5–8 years (and often longer), gaining notes of dried fruit, honey, herbs and complex tertiary nuances.

Production
The Turbiana grapes for Ca’ dei Frati’s Brolettino are sourced from estate vineyards in the Lugana DOC on the southern shores of Lake Garda, in Lombardy. Here, vines grow on clay-rich, calcareous soils laced with ancient morainic deposits, which lend both minerality and structure to the wine. The mild, breezy climate of Lake Garda helps maintain freshness and aromatic intensity, while the strong sunlight aids full ripening. Grapes are typically harvested by hand, allowing for careful selection of bunches at optimal maturity. After gentle pressing, the must is fermented—often at controlled temperatures—to preserve Turbiana’s delicate aromatics while encouraging texture and depth. Brolettino then spends time maturing in oak barrels (usually barriques or small casks) on its fine lees, with periodic bâtonnage, to build creaminess, complexity and age-worthiness before bottling.

Food & Serving
Brolettino is a versatile food wine that pairs wonderfully with richer seafood dishes such as butter-poached lobster, seared scallops, grilled prawns or baked turbot. It also complements creamy risotti (especially with seafood, porcini mushrooms or saffron), roasted white meats, veal in delicate sauces, poultry, and aged or semi-hard cheeses like Grana Padano or aged Asiago. Serve at around 10–12°C (50–54°F) to highlight its freshness while allowing the texture and oak nuances to emerge. For young vintages, a brief decant of 20–30 minutes in a medium-sized carafe can help open up the aromatics and integrate the oak; older bottles can simply be poured carefully to avoid disturbing any sediment.

Producer
Ca’ dei Frati is one of the pioneering estates of Lugana and has been instrumental in elevating Turbiana—and the region itself—to international recognition. With roots dating back to the 18th century and a modern chapter that began in the 20th century under the Dal Cero family, the winery has long championed meticulous vineyard work and a quality-first approach. Situated near Sirmione on the southern shores of Lake Garda, Ca’ dei Frati helped define the modern style of Lugana: mineral, structured whites capable of genuine complexity and aging potential. Their wines, including the flagship Brolettino, consistently earn acclaim from critics and wine lovers alike, cementing the estate’s status as a reference producer not only in Lombardy but in the wider Italian white wine landscape.

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