The Le Marchesine 2014 Franciacorta Brut Millesimato Secolo Novo is 100% Chardonnay aged on the lees for 54 months. Off the bat, you get delicately toasted notes with almond pastry, baked bread and rounder fruit notes of nectarine and soft peach. This is a medium-weight sparkler that sticks to the palate nicely, thanks to the quality of the fruit.

The single-vineyard 2010 Franciacorta Brut Millesimato Secolo Novo (disgorged in 2018) opens to a transparent, crystalline appearance. The bouquet reveals tones of citrus, crushed stone, honey and white peach. This is a mid-weight sparkling wine with firm effervescence and a natural ability to refresh and revive the palate. Only Chardonnay is used, and the wine ages on the yeasts in bottle for 54 months. Some 12,000 bottles were produced.