The 2009 Santa Chiara is a totally intriguing wine. A blend of 20% Grechetto, 20% Malvasia and 20% Garganega plus other white grapes, the Santa Chiara spent 17 days on its skins in steel tanks and was fermented with ambient yeasts with no temperature control. It is a striking wine, most notably for the way it completely covers every inch of the palate with fruit. Despite its textural richness, this never comes across as heavy. Sweet peach, almond, spices and a hint of orange peel linger on the multi-dimensional, almost lush finish. Readers who want to explore the whites that are sometimes referred to as ‘orange wines’ without going to the more eccentric styles may want to start here. This is a stunning wine from Giampaolo Bea. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2019. Importer: Rosenthal Wine Merchants, Pine Plains, NY; tel. (800) 910-1990