Visit to Oddero, La Morra

We started the day with a visit to the historic, old Poderi e Cantine Oddero. We began our visit at the little museum that is part of the winery.

Oddero has about 35 ha of vineyards, approximately 16.5 ha of which makes Barolo or Barbaresco. Oddero's single vineyard Crus include Vignarionda, Brunate, Bussia and Rocche di Castiglione and Gallina in Barbaresco. The Bricco Chiesa vineyard is behind the winery.

Oddero has begun organic vineyard management since 2008. The winemaking is traditional with large format Austrian, Slavonian and French casks only used for Baroli and Barbareschi (and never new oak). For Baroli, the maceration period is 25+ days.

For Oddero, the 2015 vintage was described as "ripe, like 2011, but with even better, cleaner grapes". This was contrasted with the "leaner, more classical 2012s".

We tasted the following bottles:

• 2013 Oddero Langhe Bianco Collaretto

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  In Piemonte I've tried lots of these Riesling/Chardonnay blends (this one is 50/50). I've yet to really enjoy one, and this was no exception. For me, a bouquet overly dominated by Riesling and a palate that was an odd combination of flavours. Some beeswax, citrus, apples, mint and spices. Not for me. YMMV.

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• 2012 Oddero Barbera d'Alba Superiore

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba Superiore

  That's better. A good Barbera D'Alba, showing appropriate typicity. Deep colour. A nose of meat broth, dark berries and high cacao chocolate. Also some straw and dry brushwood and a little savoury complexity. In the mouth, very drinkable, showing typical 2012 mid palate softness. Dark fruited with good acidity and black peppery tannins. Good body. This Barbera has the ingredients to be cellared, I'd think.

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• 2012 Oddero Barbaresco Gallina

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Oddero's only Barbaresco. Good ruby colour. Bright red cherry fruit, earthy, rose and strawberry aromas with hints of spice. Elegant and refined on entry to the palate, the red berry fruit seeming below medium weight and a little soft on the mid palate. However, the structure, power and weight comes through on the back palate. The Gallina finishes on powdery, chalky tannins. Give it 2-3 years to integrate. An interesting Barbaresco.

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• 2012 Oddero Barolo

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  The 2012 Normale was served side-by-side with the 2009 Bussia. It was described by our host as "a classical, traditional Barolo", which seemed fair to me. Two-thirds La Morra, one-third Castiglione Falletto fruit. A bouquet of red cherries, red currants, kirsch and earth. Again, lighter bodied, showing 2012 character (albeit greater weight than the Gallina). Silky, attractive texture. A fairly, straightforward, traditional Barolo, presently a little lean and austere at its core. Give it 3+ years to fill out a little but I'd guess, like many 2012s, it'll be an earlier drinking Barolo.

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• 2008 Oddero Barolo Riserva Bussia Vigna Mondoca

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  The Riserva labeled Vigna Mondoca. A more luxuriant, richer bouquet of melted road tar, bloody game meats, black fruit and dark florals. A clear step up from the 2012. Surprisingly approachable for a pop and poured SV Riserva. A broad shouldered, but well balanced, weighty wine. Dark fruit, liquorice and fruit cake. Complex and intriguing. Good length. I'd give it 3 years only to begin to approach, again I'd imagine it being fairly early drinking.

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Overall, as previously with Oddero wines, I was left with the impression of good, honest, workmanlike but unspectacular wines.