This oak-heavy blend of Chardonnay and indigenous Sicilian grapes opens with luscious tones of toasted almond, apricot and candied lemon. There’s a spicy vanilla note on the close, and the wine will appeal to those who appreciate an oaky Italian white. ——M.L.(4/1/2012)—— 87

Villa di Chiesa is a sophisticated 50-50 blend of Vermentino and Chardonnay that remains in contact with the lees and is fermented in oak for a generous and creamy feel in the mouth. The wine boasts bright notes of exotic fruit and fresh peach backed by vanilla and almond.——M.L.(9/1/2009)—— 89

There’s a saturated, almost amber-like tinge to this oak-driven Sardinia Vermentino and Chardonnay blend. It boasts good structure and lovely notes of vanilla, butter, butterscotch, banana and pineapple (wood-fermented and aged). Creamy in the mouth with nutty-apple flavors folded within.——M.L.(8/1/2007)—— 88

The 2001 Villa di Chiesa, Vermentino and Chardonnay, is barrel-aged, light in color, tropical in its fruit with some well-integrated vanilla and candied lemon rind notes, rich and forceful on the palate with much freshness and a good complexity from the sensations of minerals and sage on the finish. Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900