The 2010 Afix Riesling is made in a soft, understated style best suited for drinking over the next year or two. Sweet floral notes meld into passion fruit, light honey and spices. The understated, delicate finish lingers on the palate. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2014. This is a somewhat mixed set of wines from Silvio Jermann. The flagships Vintage Tunina, Capo Martino and Were Dreams are less exciting in 2009 than they are in cooler years such as 2008, when less extreme weather balances some of the overtness that is typical of the house’s approach with the top whites. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to taste any Pignolos this year. Readers should be aware that Jermann is owned by my wife’s uncle. I have always viewed education as an important component of wine criticism. An article on Friuli without these wines would have been incomplete and ultimately the consumer would have been poorer for their exclusion. For those reasons I have chosen to include the wines in this report. Neither my wife nor I have any financial or other interest, direct or indirect, in this property.Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900

This wine boasts beautiful purity of aromas, starting with crisp citrus, lime, kiwi and cut grass before evolving to reveal layers of almond blossom and white mineral. A trace of sweetness on the palate is backed by zesty freshness, citrus flavors and overall vigor. This would make an excellent companion to Thai dishes with lemongrass or peanut sauce.——M.L.(9/1/2007)—— 88

An extra year in the bottle has helped define this wine’s mineral qualities, which are reinforced by aromas of citrus, lime lollipop and jasmine. Detectable sweetness suggests an excellent pairing with exotic or spicy foods.——M.L.(9/1/2007)—— 87