Winemaker Notes
Vinification: Maceration on the skins for approx. 3/4 days in rotary fermentors with temperature control , ageing in new French barriques for 18 months
Colour: very intense ruby red
Taste: fresh red fruits, well balanced tannins and with a pleasant acidity due to the barbera
Nose: intense aromas of plums and berries
Serving suggestion: red meats, soft to medium aged cheese, pasta with rich sauce
Colour: very intense ruby red
Taste: fresh red fruits, well balanced tannins and with a pleasant acidity due to the barbera
Nose: intense aromas of plums and berries
Serving suggestion: red meats, soft to medium aged cheese, pasta with rich sauce
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2003 Langhe La Villa—Dark ruby. The 2003 La Villa, blend of equal parts Nebbiolo and Barbera, is a study in contrasts, given that the vintage produced such different results for the two varietals. The wine shows plenty of the attractive plummy dark fruit, licorice and tar notes of barrel-aged Barbera, but unfortunately the wine’s overall balance is dominated by the Nebbiolo, with its hard tannins and more prominent alcoholic quality. As good as La Villa can be, I usually find myself headed straight to the cellar to open a bottle of Altare’s Barolo or Barbera Larigi
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.
EWLITALTLAV03_2003 Item# 110252