PnP. Consistent with my last tasting, some seven years ago (already!) at the cantina. This has developed brilliantly, with some added depth and complexity. But, it's the freshness that keeps it all so exciting. Red/dark red fruits, loads of spice, with well-defined soil/place notes. No sign of tiring, and an absolute joy just now. highly recommended+
This is drinking beautifully -- rich and balanced across the board. Nose is dark and minerally with a roses note. Palate is at a great stage of balanced fruit and acid and minerality with some dusty tannins toward the end. A real delight.
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Drank over two nights. On night one, it had aromas of licorice and rye grains, but the tannins were impenetrable. The second night saw softer tannins with stewed fruits and ouzo on the palate. This was my first Gattinara, and it definitely lacked the polish and bravado of its neighbors in the Langhe. This one definitely needed more time to resolve the tannins, and it will get better when it does, even though it was already pretty good on day 2.
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It delivers now, but those patient enough will see this explode in 5-10 years. Treat this like a Taurasi without the bench pressing power. Black fruit for days, dusty clay, loamy, dried herbs and a great minerality.
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decant for several hours or ideally hold for 2-3 more years. This was much more open and approachable on day 2 as previous notes mention. Lovely high toned cherry and a touch of balsamic and soy sauce. its savory with balanced acidity and slightly grippy tannins.
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Brought to a restaurant so no formal notes. Showing very nice complexity on both the nose and palate- notes of red fruit, dried florals and savory herbs and spice throughout. Nice medium+ acid, softened tannins and nice depth. Very enjoyable.
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Vallana wine dinner at Lupa, NYC. Another gorgeous Nebbiolo that is just beginning to enter its drinking window. Fantastic pedigree here. Tannins are soft and fruit is beginning to blossom. Wonderful balance and complexity. All the makings of a blockbuster wine.
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Closed on day one. However, day two was a different story. Fragrant nose of roses with a hint of tar. Cherry notes on the palate. Given the performance of this wine on the 2nd day, I would recommend aging the wine for a few more years, possibly three before trying again. I would buy more and stick them in the cellar
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Antonio Vallana e Figlio: extensive vineyard(s) tour and vertical tasting (The Family's Cellar, Maggiora, Italia): {in cantina} This is one of the wines from the (extensive) tasting that stuck with me the most. Not so much for what it offered on the day, but for the obvious potential that lurks within. A little darker than the Boca served just before. The nose starts out with lovely mixture of red licorice and leather; the entry is full, with plenty of ripe, sweet tannins. Some aromas and flavors of tobacco, mulberry and mushroom emerge after 10 minutes in the glass. This has yet to fully come together, but with the overall structure, and the detailed length on the finish, I think it's going to be a quite something in 4-5 more years and for a decade+ after that. This is about as good a food wine as I have a right to expect; fantastic. 13,0% abv. highly recommended
Served non-blind.
https://italianwine.blog/
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2/14/2021 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
PnP. Consistent with my last tasting, some seven years ago (already!) at the cantina. This has developed brilliantly, with some added depth and complexity. But, it's the freshness that keeps it all so exciting. Red/dark red fruits, loads of spice, with well-defined soil/place notes. No sign of tiring, and an absolute joy just now. highly recommended+
http://www.italianwine.blog
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12/25/2020 - JWG wrote: 93 Points
Same notes as in June, but just a hair less fabulous. I think this is really ready to drink and should be done so in the next months....
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6/21/2020 - JWG wrote: 94 Points
This is drinking beautifully -- rich and balanced across the board. Nose is dark and minerally with a roses note. Palate is at a great stage of balanced fruit and acid and minerality with some dusty tannins toward the end. A real delight.
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8/24/2019 - theronware wrote: 90 Points
High toned, elegant, classic. In need of more time.
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2/11/2017 - MrOctoberfest Likes this wine:
Drank over two nights. On night one, it had aromas of licorice and rye grains, but the tannins were impenetrable. The second night saw softer tannins with stewed fruits and ouzo on the palate. This was my first Gattinara, and it definitely lacked the polish and bravado of its neighbors in the Langhe. This one definitely needed more time to resolve the tannins, and it will get better when it does, even though it was already pretty good on day 2.
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1/11/2016 - TerroirHunter wrote: 92 Points
It delivers now, but those patient enough will see this explode in 5-10 years. Treat this like a Taurasi without the bench pressing power. Black fruit for days, dusty clay, loamy, dried herbs and a great minerality.
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12/19/2015 - aavkk Likes this wine: 90 Points
decant for several hours or ideally hold for 2-3 more years. This was much more open and approachable on day 2 as previous notes mention. Lovely high toned cherry and a touch of balsamic and soy sauce. its savory with balanced acidity and slightly grippy tannins.
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5/3/2015 - MattMauldin Likes this wine:
Brought to a restaurant so no formal notes. Showing very nice complexity on both the nose and palate- notes of red fruit, dried florals and savory herbs and spice throughout. Nice medium+ acid, softened tannins and nice depth. Very enjoyable.
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3/11/2015 - cardsandwine Likes this wine:
Vallana wine dinner at Lupa, NYC. Another gorgeous Nebbiolo that is just beginning to enter its drinking window. Fantastic pedigree here. Tannins are soft and fruit is beginning to blossom. Wonderful balance and complexity. All the makings of a blockbuster wine.
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12/23/2014 - Saxman1984 wrote:
Closed on day one. However, day two was a different story. Fragrant nose of roses with a hint of tar. Cherry notes on the palate. Given the performance of this wine on the 2nd day, I would recommend aging the wine for a few more years, possibly three before trying again. I would buy more and stick them in the cellar
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4/15/2014 - yofog wrote:
Meaty, very leathery, less high-toned than the 04 but not as vibrant.
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4/11/2014 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Antonio Vallana e Figlio: extensive vineyard(s) tour and vertical tasting (The Family's Cellar, Maggiora, Italia): {in cantina} This is one of the wines from the (extensive) tasting that stuck with me the most. Not so much for what it offered on the day, but for the obvious potential that lurks within. A little darker than the Boca served just before. The nose starts out with lovely mixture of red licorice and leather; the entry is full, with plenty of ripe, sweet tannins. Some aromas and flavors of tobacco, mulberry and mushroom emerge after 10 minutes in the glass. This has yet to fully come together, but with the overall structure, and the detailed length on the finish, I think it's going to be a quite something in 4-5 more years and for a decade+ after that. This is about as good a food wine as I have a right to expect; fantastic. 13,0% abv. highly recommended
Served non-blind.
https://italianwine.blog/
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