Winemaker Notes
100% Nebbiolo from estate’s single vineyard San Francesco cru at 390 meters above sea level.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
San Francesco is a single west-facing vineyard (compared to the mostly southwest plots used for the standard Riserva) which ages partially in tonneaux instead of just botti grandi. Ruby in the glass, it smells of graphite, Parma violet, wild strawberry and peach skin, with a balsamic whiff. Velvety on the palate with tar and strawberry fruit of a stunning intensity, joined by a touch of black pepper. Broad, dusty tannins of rare power and concentration are accompanied by lifted acidity and good length. This is not a wine that's really ready to drink now; give it more time for better integration of the oak. Great stuff.
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Wine Spectator
A supple red, with tomato leaf and juniper flavors mingling with cherry, iron and leather. Delivers dusty tannins, which put a grip on everything as this turns compact on the finish. This is long, nevertheless, with mineral and savory elements that last. Best from 2025.
Attracting the most glory, prestige and fame to the Piedmont region, Nebbiolo in all of its expressions—Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero, Ghemme and Gattinara—creates a complex wine, truly unique for its delicate qualities combined with strength and a great potential to improve over time.
But Nebbiolo isn’t all there is to red wine from Piedmont! Barbera is the most planted variety and historically most popular as a dependable, food-friendly, everyday wine.
Beyond these two, a surprising number of red varieties call Piedmont their home. Worth a try include Dolcetto for its bold concentration and aromas of spice cake. Other grapes to investigate include Freisa, Croatina, Brachetto, Grignolino and Pelaverga.