Winemaker Notes
#80 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2019
Ruby red tending to garnet; typical hints of small fruits such a raspberry,
but also of violet and wild rose; on the palate dry, slightly tannic,
strong, with typical hints of hazelnut and dried plums. becoming more
soft and velvety plums.
This wine is best paired with first courses, meat, and cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
An elegant red, with sleek tannins trimming a fresh range of macerated raspberry, sandalwood, lavender and iron flavors. Well-knit, featuring a creamy, lingering finish that echoes mineral and citrus peel notes. Drink now through 2029.
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James Suckling
Pretty, pinot-like fruit is on display here, such as rose petals and tulips, as well as hints of citrus and incense. Finely knit with forthright acidity and light, subtle tannins. Medium-bodied and medium on the finish. Drink now.
Responsible for some of the most elegant and age-worthy wines in the world, Nebbiolo, named for the ubiquitous autumnal fog (called nebbia in Italian), is the star variety of northern Italy’s Piedmont region. Grown throughout the area, as well as in the neighboring Valle d’Aosta and Valtellina, it reaches its highest potential in the Piedmontese villages of Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero. Outside of Italy, growers are still very much in the experimentation stage but some success has been achieved in parts of California. Somm Secret—If you’re new to Nebbiolo, start with a charming, wallet-friendly, early-drinking Langhe Nebbiolo or Nebbiolo d'Alba.
Containing an exciting mix of wine producing subregions, Lombardy is Italy’s largest in size and population. Good quality Pinot noir, Bonarda and Barbera have elevated the reputation of the plains of Oltrepò Pavese. To its northeast in the Alps, Valtellina is the source of Italy’s best Nebbiolo wines outside of Piedmont. Often missed in the shadow of Prosecco, Franciacorta produces collectively Italy’s best Champagne style wines, and for the fun and less serious bubbly, find Lambrusco Mantovano around the city of Mantua. Lugana, a dry white with a devoted following, is produced to the southwest of Lake Garda.