La Callaia began with a provocative question: what if the concentration, patience and ageing ambition associated with Amarone were translated into a dry white wine?
Ca’ Botta chose Riesling and took it far from the usual idea of a youthful, light white. Extended appassimento builds extraordinary breadth and strength, while barrique maturation and time give the wine a deeper, more savoury dimension.
The result is a powerful white made to evolve. Rich and enveloping when young, La Callaia gains another level of character as it matures, trading simple freshness for depth, texture and complexity while remaining unmistakably dry.
Straw yellow with subtle green reflections.
Ripe pear, peach and yellow apple lead the bouquet, joined by delicate flowers and a touch of exotic fruit. Vanilla and warm bread crust bring a deeper, more savoury tone behind the fruit.
The palate is broad, smooth and concentrated. Ripe orchard fruit gives it weight and generosity, while fresh acidity and a mineral line keep its considerable structure defined.
As the wine opens, dried-fruit notes become more apparent and the fruit gives way gradually to bread crust, vanilla and savoury detail.
The finish is long and dry, carrying ripe fruit, mineral freshness and a gentle dried-fruit echo after the palate.
La Callaia is built to develop with bottle age, allowing its fruit, texture and savoury character to become progressively more integrated and complex.
La Callaia has the scale for richer dishes that would overwhelm a lighter white.
Serve it with Vicenza-style slow-cooked stockfish, roast turbot with potatoes and herbs, lobster risotto, baked scallops with herbs, roast guinea fowl or porcini tagliatelle.
Mature Bagòss, Monte Veronese d’Allevo and Asiago Stravecchio suit its breadth particularly well.
Allow around 30 minutes to open before serving and use a generous white-wine glass.
Serve at 12–13°C.
James Suckling — 90 points
Vintage 2018
Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 — 92 points, Silver
Luca Maroni — 93 points
Vintage 2015
Luca Maroni — 93 points