Here's a special white that shows graceful evolution four years after the harvest. The 2018 Falerno del Massico Vigna Caracci is partially fermented in amphorae, partially in oak and the rest in stainless steel. It shows a more saturated golden color with soft tropical tones, ripe kiwi and guava followed by pastry cream and some mild oak spice. There is an earthy or chalky note at the back. This is a beautiful, mid-weight white with a bright and contemporary personality. Some 10,000 bottles were made.

This is a historic wine with roots that go so far back in time, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Falerno is one of the oldest wines known to mankind. Indeed, white Falerno wines were especially well-loved by the inhabitants of ancient Rome. The Villa Matilde 2016 Falerno del Massico Vigna Caracci opens to a brilliant golden hue with rich aromas of sweet nectarine, honey and poached pear. This is a generous mid-weight wine that wraps smoothly over the palate and dispenses just the right level of acidity and minerality to keep these results glossy and bright. The old vines in the Caracci vineyard deliver exceptionally balanced results in this gorgeous vintage. This is a true standout. 15,000 bottles were produced.

A pure expression of Falanghina from some of the estate's oldest vines planted in 1968, this is an expressive and beautiful wine. The 2015 Falerno del Massico Vigna Caracci is redolent of stone fruit, peach and fresh bee's honey. As far as this white grape goes, this unique expression offers greater complexity, depth and sophistication compared to more commercial releases. The 2015 vintage is ripe, round and almost creamy in texture (only 10% of the wine ages in Allier barrique). Some 15,000 bottles were made.

The 2014 Falerno del Massico Vigna Caracci is a surprise hit from a challenging vintage. Fruit is sourced from old vines (planted in 1968) of an ancient clone of Falanghina that has been lovingly brought back to commercial production, thanks to the hard work of the Avallone family that owns Villa Matilde. I had a chance to visit the Caracci vineyard, and it is indeed a site to behold with the extinct Roccamonfina volcano that looms large on the horizon. This wine offers zesty tones of white peach and honeydew melon with crushed stone on the finish. The wine ages on the lees in clay amphorae (with frequent batonnage) for three months. Some 19,000 bottles were produced.

The 2012 Falerno del Massico Vigna Caracci is a dry, mineral-driven and linear white wine. It offers soft contours at the back with subtle layers of peach and white melon. There are distant hints of butterscotch and caramel that add to the wine's medium weight and texture.