Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This was a hot vintage with above-average temperatures that extended throughout the growing season, starting in the spring and lasting well until September. Indeed, the 2011 Boca saw fruit harvested much earlier than average, on October 2nd. Christoph Künzli admits that he has never been particularly partial to this edition of his top-shelf Nebbiolo and Vespolina blend. Candied fruit aromas of cherry cough drop and tarry plum open the bouquet, eventually ceding to dry spice, powdered mocha and dusty chocolate shavings. The primary fruit has faded, and there is a lingering spot of ripe sweetness on the finish.
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.