2020 De Sanctis Frascati 496

Producer: De Sanctis

Wine: “496”

Appellation: Frascati DOC (Lazio, Italy)

Vintage: 2020

Grape(s): Malvasia Bianca di Candia and Trebbiano (typical Frascati blend)

Category: Dry white wine

Serving temperature: 8–10°C

Recommended glass: Medium-sized white wine glass (tulip)

Decanting: Not necessary (optional short aeration 5–10 minutes)

Appearance

Bright straw yellow with light golden reflections. Brilliant and clean, with good viscosity for the category.

Nose

Refined and classically Frascati in profile. Opens with white peach, pear, and yellow apple, followed by citrus zest (lemon, bergamot) and white flowers (hawthorn, acacia). Subtle Mediterranean herbs and a lightly almond-like nuance appear with air. A faint mineral note—suggestive of wet stone/chalk—adds precision and freshness.

Palate

Dry, smooth entry with fresh acidity and good mid-palate shape. The fruit profile mirrors the nose—peach, pear, citrus—carried by a pleasant saline/mineral thread that keeps the wine agile and gastronomic. The texture is lightly creamy (likely from lees work), yet the overall style remains clean, linear, and bright.

Finish

Medium finish, crisp and neatly tapered, leaving citrus peel, almond, and a saline echo.

Quality Assessment

Very good quality. Balanced, expressive, and stylistically correct for Frascati, with enough depth to elevate it beyond a simple aperitif white.

Food Pairing

Excellent with:

• Spaghetti alle vongole or seafood risotto

• Fried calamari / frittura di paranza

• Burrata, fresh mozzarella, or ricotta-based dishes

• Roast chicken with lemon and herbs

• Light vegetable dishes (zucchini flowers, artichokes—if not too bitter)

Aging Potential

Best enjoyed now through 2026, while its freshness and aromatic precision are at peak.PM 88