Made from the smallest bunches and aged for five(!) years, “Ergo Sum” is the pinnacle of Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva.

Decanter judges Andy Howard MW, Sara Bachiorri and Michael Garner awarded “Ergo Sum” 93 points and included it in the July 2022 feature “Verdicchio: Panel Tasting Results”. 

“Ergo Sum” has a golden colour, and a very complex bouquet of flavours such as white lily flower, honey, hazelnut and saffron. The winery is set in the historic Classico area on the left bank of the Esino river, one mile west of the town of Jesi. This Riserva wine is only made by Gianluca Mirizzi in the best years, using the smallest bunches of Verdicchio. This is Mirizzi’s best wine – and one of only five Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio wines that have won the 2021 Tre Bicchieri award (Italy’s most prestigious wine competition).

Winemaking

The Verdicchio grapes for “Ergo Sum” are grown near Monte Roberto, on the other side of Esino. Grapes are hand-picked in the first half of September. After gentle pressing, the juice is racked, so any remaining particles fall down by gravity and are filtered out. The resulting juice is clear and free from any impurities. Then, it is fermented at a controlled temperature of 12-18°C with indigenous yeasts. After that, the wine is aged for one year in huge 8,000-litre concrete vats. Finally it matures for a whopping 48 months in bottle, which takes the overall ageing period to five years.

Tasting Notes

“Ergo Sum” is a white wine worth holding onto. It has a distinctive gold colour. On the nose, this Riserva offers complex aromas of white lily flowers, yellow apple, apricot stone and almonds, as well as hints of honey and spicy white pepper, saffron and ginger. Generous, structured and silky, this Verdicchio is full-bodied with a very long finish.

Awards

Decanter Panel Tasting – 93 points, Blind tasted by Andy Howard MW, Sara Bachiorri and Michael Garner | Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 – Silver Medal (2018 vintage) | Gambero Rosso 2020 – Tre Bicchieri (Tree Glasses, 2016 vintage) | Doctor Wine 2021 – 96 points (2016 vintage) | I Vini Buoni d’Italia – Corona (2016 vintage) | Guida Bio – Certificato di eccellenza (2016 vintage)