Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Plenty of primary fruits to this Nebbiolo such as blackcurrants, blueberries and a wealth of sage. Medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a fruity, fresh finish. Drink now.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Langhe Nebbiolo Montegrilli is a terrific wine that faithfully represents the best of Nebbiolo, without the extra bells or whistles. One-third of the wine undergoes carbonic maceration in order to remove some of the tannic astringency you get with the grape. The fruit is pressed very delicately and the wine made in stainless steel. Thanks to this hand-off approach, you are awarded a fresh and bright bouquet with direct primary fruit. This is an easy-drinking wine to pair with simple meat dishes. Fruit is sourced from the Ravera cru.
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Wine Spectator
Enticing aromas of cherry, berry, licorice and floral pick up some density as this crosses the palate, where an earthy note emerges. Balanced and long.
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.
Even to this day, the Roero folklore lives on about witchcraft lurking behind its dramatic contours and obscure woods—but these stories only add to the region’s allure and charm. Actually today Roero winemakers are some of the most astute and motivated in Piedmont. While the white Arneis has attracted global attention for some time, now Roero Nebbiolo wines (elevated to the same DOCG status as Barolo and Barbaresco) are making a name for themselves. Keep an eye on any labeled with the vineyard, Valmaggiore, as Barolo producers have been investing here for years. If you’re looking for hidden gems, this is your region!