Winemaker Notes
A typical Vallana Spanna is very floral on the nose (rose, violets), has aromas or red fruits (cranberry, redcurrant, cherry), notes of black pepper and licorice, followed by smoke and charred wood. After a few years (8-10) the wine develops aromas of forest floor, leather and tobacco.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2019 Colline Novaresi Spanna offers up scents of sweet dried cherry, mint, tobacco, dried herbs and crushed rose petal. Deceptive in its light-bodied structure, this ethereal red has plenty of depth. The savory, mineral side of Nebbiolo is very much on show.
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Wine Spectator
A vibrant, firm red, featuring cherry, plum, licorice, iron and eucalyptus flavors. The dense, dusty tannins are linear and chewy, while the finish is long and infused with mineral notes. Drink now through 2035. 3,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.
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.