2013 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Langhe Nebbiolo

Community Tasting Notes (21) Avg Score: 89.3 points

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  3/8/2024 - Rote Kappelle Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Come on people, let the world begin! How can you not feel some ignition in your soul when you have a bottle of wine with a rhinoceros on the label? Does no-one care for Ionesco in these heathen, 40 characters equals literacy days?
  
  My own label would no doubt feature the polecat, the warthog or the stinkbug, but this has a rhinoceros, and you know it has to be good. Even if Zero Mostel isn't pouring for you.
  
  'Oh yes', you mutter, rivetted to the concrete as always, 'get on with the wine you spastic f*^ker'.
  
  Well, the wine pours (are you happy now?) with the usual Neb mix of cherry and a hint of brick and it is translucent as it should be. There is still some sparkle and that says 'I am alive'.
  
  The nose and palate on day 1 are a little truculent but there is varietal cherry, a little strawberry on the finish and the middle is all cranberry goodness. There is some rose perfume and the tannins are a small tidal wave, ripe and fine, but perhaps lacking that element of nuttiness and sweetness in amongst the bitter that separates the good from the fine. Intensity is excellent but the length pulls up a bit. It is a Langhe people, so keep that in mind. If you were paying Barolo prices, riot and pillage, but this wine is a fairly priced Langhe and you gets what you pays for, but you also get a rhinoceros.
  
  This wine really hums on day 2. You start to get those lovely, candied fruit aspects in addition to the above characters. The finish remains a touch short. However, the rhinoceros keeps you believing.
  
  I keep thinking 'How can anyone not think that this is a far more complex grape than Pinot?' Apparently, they do, though and I guess that is good, because Neb from Piedmont is costly enough. Imagine if the Burg wankers really got onto the real thing. I believe the rhinoceros will keep them at bay and that is why, anytime you see a label with a rhinoceros, you should buy it, you should love it and you should feel some joy to be alive.
  
  Of course, Ionesco's rhinoceros was a more sinister thing. It is thriving today. Those who are not of the Ionesco rhinoceros are happy little organisers of the trains.

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  2/14/2023 - frvi Likes this wine: 88 Points

  Cherry, leather. Some strawberry. Really opens up after a while. Earthy minerals. Dry, with a rather quick finish, but the nose lingers.

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  10/30/2021 - A_rytter wrote:

  Some plum and savory, slight mushroom, sweet fruit, not jammy and kept in check by acidity.

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  7/13/2019 - Karl Rossmann Likes this wine: 90 Points

  Good lenght with the structure and the aromas already showing nice amount of maturity. Palate very well balanced with dark juicy cherries, flowers, oak and mushroom. High in acid.

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  4/28/2019 - …. wrote: 90 Points

  The tannins and acidity are notable but not doing anything bad for the general balance of the wine. The nose have hints of roses and tar, but is mainly dominated by dark fruit. The palate includes blueberry and tobacco, finishing with a hint of oak. The aftertaste decent and the depth limited.

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View all 21 Community Tasting Notes

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