The 2007 Friulano is a rich, dense offering. This ripe, honeyed white offers good depth and persistence but the wine ultimately comes across as rather heavy and alcoholic. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2010. Villa Russiz is one of Friuli’s top estates, but this is an uneven set of releases owing to the challenges of the 2007 vintage. The whites in particular show the unfocused aromatics and overly heavy quality which is common in this vintage.Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900

Here’s a fresh and easygoing Friulano that counts consistency, persistency and texture as its strongest features. The wine is thick with glycerin and heft and although it offers straightforward aromas of honey and peach on the nose, its mouthfeel is actually very elegant.——M.L.(3/1/2009)—— 87