2016 Luigi Baudana Langhe Bianco Dragon

• By Antonio Galloni
  Piedmont’s Affordable Gems (Jun 2018), 5/18/2018, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Luigi Baudana Dragon White) Login and sign up and see review text.

Full Pull

• By Paul Zitarelli
  Full Pull Dueling Nebbiolo, 9/15/2017, (See more on Full Pull...)

  (Luigi Baudana Dragon Langhe Bianco) Hello friends. In the picturesque hills of Piedmont there is one grape that reigns supreme. This is not your average grape—it’s complicated and deceptive, well-loved and sought after. When made into wine, it goes by many names and is greatly influenced by the place it comes from. You may know it as Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero, Ghemme, Gattinara, etc. This grape is Nebbiolo, and though it’s not the most planted grape in the region, it’s universally considered the finest grape of Piedmont. Today, we have two of Nebbiolo’s many identities for you—a workhorse table-wine and a high-class, contemplative bottle, both made by the same producer in the Langhe. [Note: see the bottom of the offer for two bonus wines from Vajra; one dry white and one not-so-dry Moscato.] We've tried for years to offer the Dragon, Vajra's wonderful dry white bottled under their Luigi Baudana label. Every time we've ever had an event with Francesca Vajra, this is among the most popular wines she pours, competing in sales with the heavy hitter Barolos. The label is great, the juice inside is great, but the quantities have never been quite right. It's a blend mostly of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, with a little Riesling and Nascetta in the mix as well. This vintage clocks in at 13.5% listed alc and makes for a lovely autumn-into-winter white, with wonderful palate heft and richness paired to a sturdy acid spine. Flavors include stone fruits (peaches and nectarines) elevated by subtleties floral and nutty (hazelnut especially). This is likely a one-and-done offer; the quantities imported into Seattle are never very large.