The 2020 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Podium is youthfully inward and coy at first, with a dusty florality and hints of cardamom in the glass. Swirling unlocks nuances of sage and rosemary, ginger and hints of smoky cracked stones, yet its fruit, leaning toward apricot, is still quite shy. Today, this impresses more on the palate, deeply savory and mineral in style, with a herbal twang and sour melon which place it firmly into the green fruit spectrum, all brilliantly offset by a saturating salty sensation. The palate is left reeling with spicy tension; the 2020 finishes structured, leaving the cheeks puckered and the mouth watering thanks to a late-arriving bump of zesty acidity. This will take some time to show its best, but it will be time well spent.

The 2021 Rosato Montepulciano Kómaros wafts up to show dusty rose, sweet melon and minty herbs. This impresses, with its soft textures contrasted by a reverberation of zesty acids and sour citrus tones; yet through it all, a vivid note of ripe yellow apple resides at its core. The 2021 Kómaros tapers off with tension, leaving behind mineral-tinged orchard fruits and a hint of blood orange. Garofoli knocked it out of the park with this Montepulciano Rosato.

The 2022 Rosato Kómaros is airy and spicy, wafting up with a blend of crushed rocks, wild herbs and ginger-tinged berries. This is racy, sleek and full of zesty tension, with vibrant acidity guiding its mineral-tinged orchard fruits effortlessly across the palate. The 2022 cleans up beautifully through the finish, sizzling upon the senses with sour citrus.

The 2020 Rosato Komaros is sweetly scented and floral, with a hint of undergrowth that grounds it firmly to the earth. Its textures are soft, offset by nervous acidity, sour citrus and minerals that create an expression of salty tension. This finishes crisp and clean. The Komaros is a no-frills Montepulciano Rosato that is sure to refresh through the summer months.

The Montepulciano grape is considered one of Italy’s best grapes for Rosato wines.  Garofoli’s Rosato boasts an orangish pink color and peach, Meyer lemon aromas with a saline note.  In the mouth, the wine is lean and crisp with peach, citrus flavors that linger on the tongue.  Pair it with  grilled halibut or sushi.  Innkeeper Antonio Garofoli, started making wines in 1871 to serve Christian Pilgrims visiting the Basilica della Santa Casa in the town of Loreto in the Marche region of Italy.  In the early 1900s, his son, Gioacchino, created a winery and today, members of the fourth generation, brothers Carlo and Gianfranco Garofoli and their children run the winery.  They specialize in Trebbiano and Montepulciano grapes with a smaller amount of Sangiovese and Trebbiano Toscano.  The Piancarda vineyard is where they grow their best Montepulciano grapes, some destined for their Rosso Cònero DOC, and others specially grown for the Rosato.

The 2019 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Macrina is zesty and fresh, punching well above its price point. Here I’m finding pretty yellow flowers, hints of smoke, lime-infused apple and savory herbs. It’s soft yet juicy and full of lively tension, showing ripe orchard fruits offset by yellow citrus and building mineral tones toward the close. The palate literally aches for another sip throughout the cheek-puckering and floral finale.

BEST BUY. Fresh watermelon with bruised mint and savory herbs all work in concert to draw your attention to the fresh and vibrant palate. Tart and crisp with mixed red fruits, dried wildflowers and sea salt on the mouthwatering palate.

The 2016 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Podium from Garofoli is just starting to show a bit of mellowing on the nose, opening to notes of ripe yellow apple, sweet florals, almond paste and stone dust. It soothes with silky textures, ushering in flavors of white peach, laced with salty minerals and a twang of green citrus. There’s so much density, giving way to a savory spiciness that lingers in the mouth along with hints of hazelnut. The 2016 has many years to go before reaching full maturity, but it can be enjoyed now on its potential alone.