90 POINTS: VINOUS - The 2020 White Peak lifts from the glass like a burst of alpine air, with a display of savory herbs, crushed rocks and hints of lime. This is soft textured yet wickedly fresh, focused on citrus and mineral tones but with a pleasant inner sweetness to balance. The White Peak finishes finessed with a lingering twang of tart lemon. This is a zesty blend of Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Sauvignon that ferments with whole bunches and then refines on the lees for four months in stainless steel tanks. -Eric Guido
‘Erste+Neue' means 'First+New’. The name represents the merger of the first (‘erste') co-op cellar in Caldaro, which was founded in 1900, and the newest ('neue') co-op cellar after the Alto Adige became a part of Italy in 1919, which was founded in 1925. The two co-ops united under one label in 1986. In 2016 Erste+Neue incorporated a third co-op, Cantina Kaltern, but decided to continue operating under the name Erste+Neue. Gerhard Sanin, the enologist for E+N, favors a bright, restrained winemaking style that really allows this place and these varieties to shine. They make the range of white wines that you would expect including Sauvignon, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and an excellent Müller Thurgau. The White Peak is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Bianco, and Chardonnay, each fermented individually, then blended together for a fresh, racy, and refreshing Italian white.
