A vertical of more than ten years demonstrates the astonishing capacity for evolution of Roberto Snidarcig’s Collio Sauvignon from Tiare, one of Collio’s most recognizable whites that combines aromatic precision, savoriness and aging capacity, as Riccardo Viscardi recounts.
Roberto Snidarcig tends with great precision the ten hectares of vines on his Tiare estate, divided almost equally between the Collio di Dolegna and the area of theIsonzo. Two fascinating but very different territories, allowing each grape variety to be allocated to the most suitable soil.
In Collio white varieties – Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia and Friulano – find a home, while in the area of theIsonzo, characterized by the famous gravels, reds are grown: Cabernet (Franc and Sauvignon), Merlot, with small production of Refosco and Pinot Noir.
The winery’s signature Sauvignon
More than 40% of the winery’s production is dedicated to Sauvignon, a grape variety that over the years has become the true signature of Tiare.
The wine achieved international notoriety in 2014, when the 2013 vintage won the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon in Bordeaux, winning gold medal and special trophy as the best Sauvignon in the competition. This was an important recognition, because for the first time an Italian wine came out on top in a competition historically dominated by Sauvignons from the Loire and the New World.
The following year the Tiare Sauvignon 2014 confirmed the winery’s level by again winning the gold medal at Concours Mondial du Sauvignon 2015, consolidating the international reputation of Roberto Snidarcig’s wine.
An unmistakable style
Snidarcig’s style is very recognizable: crisp, intense aromas, great aromatic precision and a savory, agile and persistent flavor texture. A Sauvignon that manages to place itself ideally between the classicism of the Loire and the expressiveness of the New World., yet maintaining a strong territorial identity.
An interpretation in which Collio and the particular enclave of Dolegna clearly express their full potential.
A vertical that demonstrates longevity
We recently tasted a vertical of Collio Sauvignon from 2012 to 2024, with often excellent results.
The tasting clearly demonstrates how some misgivings about the aging capacity of this type of Sauvignon Are unfounded. Over time, wine broadens its aromatic spectrum: the varietal thiol notes are enriched and become more complex and articulated, while the flavor component remains sharp, savory and very persistent.
Also of interest is the reading of the vintages, which emerges with great clarity and is sometimes even amplified by evolution.
Tiare’s Sauvignon ferments and ages in stainless steel on the lees for about six months, a choice that preserves freshness and aromatic precision.
A lunch with friends
On the sidelines of the tasting, we also had the pleasure of continuing with a home-cooked lunch among friends with fish from the Miranda fish market in Latina, which turned out to be extraordinary in both raw and more classic baked preparations.
Collio Sauvignon Tiare, the vintages tasted
Collio Sauvignon 2013
Score: 99/100
Average price: no longer available on the market
straw yellow Intense and complex nose still fragrant: boxwood, lychee, passion fruit, hints of fennel and tomato leaf. The palate shows a vertical and savory texture, with good sapidity. Excellent progression, elegant and well articulated, with a broad, persistent and still very agile finish.
Collio Sauvignon 2014
Score: 98/100
Average price: no longer available on the market
Straw-colored with greenish highlights. Intense aromas of tomato leaf, winter woods, fennel and a touch of boxwood. Snappy, vertical mouthfeel, with savory progression in perfect olfactory correspondence. Ample and persistent finish.
Collio Sauvignon 2015
Score: 96/100
Average price: not available
Light yellow. Intense nose with sunny notes of yellow flowers, boxwood, sandalwood and arbutus, with balsamic nuances of winter woods. Dense, saline texture, well articulated, with juicy progression and broad, very persistent finish.
Collio Sauvignon 2016
Score: 95/100
Average price: not available
Light strawberry. Aromas of yellow flowers, sandalwood, boxwood and eucalyptus. In the mouth is intense and flavorful, almost enveloping but supported by a nice saline drive. Ample finish reminiscent of the floral notes.
Collio Sauvignon 2018
Score: 97/100
Average price: not available
Yellow with greenish highlights. Intense nose of wild fennel, mallow, white flowers and boxwood. Palate elegant and balanced, fresh and savory. Nervous and savory finish with hints of winter woods.
Collio Sauvignon 2019
Score: 96/100
Average price: not available
Strawberry with greenish highlights. Full nose with mauve, fennel and basil, still youthful in notes of tomato leaf and sandalwood. Mouthfeel elegant and composed, with nice savory drive and vertical progression. Finish austere, consistent and persistent.
Collio Sauvignon 2020
Score: 95/100
Average price: not available
Light yellow. Aromas of arbutus, white flowers, passion fruit and basil. Dense, flavorful texture with enveloping but vertical progression. Bright finish with ripe citrus returns.
Collio Sauvignon 2022
Score: 96/100
Average price: € 23,00
100% Sauvignon. Only steel for 5 months on the lees. Intense greenish yellow and bright. Very typical, with notes of pink grapefruit, citrus and white flowers, mineral hints. Nimble and snappy mouthfeel with excellent saline and fresh progression Vertical and very persistent finish.
Collio Sauvignon 2023
Score: 95/100
Average price: € 23,00
100% Sauvignon. On the lees until bottling. Light straw yellow with yellow highlights. Intense nose on boxwood, sandalwood and mallow, with delicate hints of white fruit. Nimble and linear palate, savory and zesty, with intense, consistent and persistent finish.
Collio Sauvignon 2024
Score: 97/100
Average price: € 22,00
100% Sauvignon. Steel on the lees until bottling. Straw-colored with greenish highlights. Intense nose with notes of tomato leaves, sandalwood, anise, passion fruit. Elegant and soaring mouthfeel, very juicy and persistent. Finish ample, vertical, flavorful and in great olfactory correspondence.
