Livio Felluga

Livio Felluga > Illivio DOC

Livio Felluga Illivio DOC

Friuli Colli Orientali, Italy

Vintage:2020 (Past)

Tech Sheet Download Download PDF with Scores Download PDF without Scores

Livio Felluga Illivio DOC 2020
  • JS 95
  • VFTC 93
  • V 92
  • WS 92

Reviews

View From the Cellar 93 Points August 2024, John Gilman

I tasted the 2020 vintage of the Illivio Bianco bottling from Livio Felluga a year ago and was very happy to have the chance to revisit it this year. The wine is made from a blend of pinot bianco, chardonnay and picolit. It is barrel-fermented and raised in barriques for ten months prior to bottling. The 2020 Illivio is blossoming beautifully with another year’s worth of bottle age, wafting from the glass in a complex blend of tart orange, green olive, fruit blossoms, citrus peel, a lovely base of soil tones and just a whisper of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is vibrant, fullbodied and complex, with an excellent core of fruit, superb mineral undertow and grip, zesty acids and impeccable balance on the long and classy finish. I love the slightly bitter closing note of citrus peel in this wine. This is outstanding juice. 2024-2035.

View From the Cellar 93 Points September 2023, John Gilman

“The Illivio Bianco bottling from Livio Felluga is made from a rather unique blend of pinot bianco, chardonnay and picolit. It is barrel-fermented and raised in barriques for ten months prior to bottling. The 2020 Illivio offers up a deep and complex bouquet of tart orange, green olive, a beautifully complex base of minerality, lime peel, gently musky floral tones and a deft touch of oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, focused and complex, with lovely depth at the core, refined mineral undertow, zesty acids and impeccable balance on the long, vibrant and very classy finish. First rate juice. 2023-2035+.”

Wine Spectator 92 Points August 31, 2023, Alison Napjus

“A vibrant white, tightly meshed and lightly chalky in texture, with a minerally, saline- and smoke-tinged base note and lemony acidity. Offers a finely woven mesh of poached apricot, juicy pear, blanched almond and white blossoms. Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Picolit. Drink now through 2028.”

JamesSuckling.com 95 Points August 10, 2023, James Suckling

“Aromas of flint, oyster shell, dust and ripe fruit. But always energetic. Medium to full body, with a solid structure and density, and a compacted and powerful center palate. Really impressive. Muscular but stealth. Dried fruit at the end. A blend of chardonnay, pinot bianco and a touch of picolit. Drink now.”

Vinous Media 92 Points January 2023, Eric Guido

“The 2020 Bianco Illivio is savory and intense, captivating with a rich mix of rosemary, gingery spice and lemon oils. It greets the palate with a pleasant inner sweetness up front as a dense wave of texturally ripe orchard fruits and candied citrus tones coats all they touch in opulent concentration. Through it all, a core of brisk acidity and salty minerals maintains a lovely balance as the 2020 finishes youthfully grippy and long, leaving sour citrus nuances that seem to last up to a minute. This powerful rendition of Bianco Illivio will require a short stay in the cellar to come fully into focus. It's a blend of Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Picolit.”

Overview

At 100 years old, the founder and patriarch, Livio Felluga, was accredited with innovating and mastering modern winemaking in Italy. Back from WWII, he sealed a deep bond with the hillsides of Friuli by reviving the vineyards of Rosazzo, later establishing him as “the patriarch of the wines of Friuli.”

In 1956, when Livio anticipated an implementation of appellation of origin, he chose an ancient map of the area to create an iconic label to tell the world the story of his wines. Pioneering vision, deep knowledge, respect for the vineyards, and obsession with quality, once embodied by Livio Felluga himself, have been proudly carried out by the company over the years. 

Today, the family-owned winery is led by Livio’s son, Andrea Felluga. Known for producing lush, crisp and well-balanced wines, the winery’s reputation extends well beyond the region of Friuli and its wines are recognized in a class with the most esteemed producers from around the world.

Created by Livio Felluga’s children, who dedicated the wine to him for his 85th birthday, Illivio reflects the personality of the family’s “patriarch,” uniting strength with elegance.

Winemaking

The grapes are carefully destemmed and left to macerate for a short period. Next, the fruit is soft crushed. The must obtained is then allowed to settle. The now-clarified must ferments at controlled temperatures in small casks of French oak, where it matures for about ten months. After fermentation, the wine was left on the lees in the small oak casks for about ten months. The bottled wine was aged in temperature-controlled binning cellars.

Tasting Notes

On the nose, illivio 2019 is vibrant and complex, pervasive and creamy, with marked floral aromas and ripe fruit. The nose opens on notes of lime blossom, wisteria, broom and chamomile, blending with fruity hints of yellow peaches, apricots, mandarins and tropical fruit like pineapple and mango. Ageing in small oak endows it with delicate boisé sensations of coconut, mace, vanilla pods, brown sugar and sweet spice. The array of aromas closes on subtle rosemary and walnuts. On the palate, it is generous, harmonious, full-bodied and dense, the softness balanced by refreshing acidity. Fragrant yellow plums, peaches and papaya alternate with hints of polyflora honey and white chocolate. Tangy and lingering with a creamy and pleasantly mineral finish.

Food Pairing

Pairs beautifully with fish, risottos, and fresh cheeses. Best served between 55°F and 59°F.

Technical Information

Varietals: Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Picolit

Soil Composition: Marl and sandstone flysch of Eocene origin