November 15, 2022 - Made with organically farmed estate fruit. After the fermentation and maceration on the skins, the wine is aged for 12 months in 2nd use French oak barrels. 14% alcohol.
Quite translucent (yet still relatively dark for a Nebbiolo) cherry red color with a pomegranate hue. The nose feels quite shy and restrained with slightly sweet-toned aromas of licorice and black Bassett's wine gums, some juicy black cherries, a little bit of sunny dark berry character, light savory woody notes, a hint of sun-baked earth and a touch of turmeric or some other dry and earthy spice. The wine feels quite ripe and somewhat extracted on the palate with a moderately full body and quite dry, dark-toned flavors of juicy black cherries, some licorice root, a little bit of earth and savory wood, light notes of tobacco, a hint of sour cherry bitterness and a touch of gravelly minerality. The acidity feels quite high and the ample, quite grippy yet not aggressive tannins contribute to the structure quite a bit as well while the alcohol lends a little bit of warmth to the palate. The finish is ripe yet dry with some tannic grip, a little bit of warmth and a long aftertaste of ripe dark berries and some black cherries, a little bit of gravelly minerality, light notes of tobacco, a hint of licorice root and a touch of savory wood.
Although the hot, dry vintage shows here, this still managed to come across as a surprisingly serious, balanced and even quite stern effort for a Langhe Nebbiolo. Despite its ripe mien and understated yet still somewhat noticeable oak influence, this doesn't come across as too hot, flabby or oaky, but instead quite dry, harmonious and pretty structure-driven. It's obvious the wine is made in a more modern, extracted style, but the win manages to avoid the typical pitfalls of modern Nebbiolo and instead comes across more like a baby Barolo than a simple, one-dimensional Langhe Nebbiolo. I must say that this is surprisingly good stuff for a 2017 Langhe Nebbiolo and thus a positive surprise - I'm not a fan of either 2017 vintage in Piedmont or Langhe Nebbiolo, but I'd rather be drinking this wine than most of 2017 Barolos or Barbarescos, a great majority of which have been just too sweet and alcoholic for my taste. It drinks nicely right now, but will improve for a good handful of years more.
April 8, 2022 - Explosive nose of gentians announces this bottle is maturing quickly and is well through its window in a way that I find pleasing, and reminiscent of a mature Barolo.
The tannins have not softened (and will not?) and remain toothclinging and tonguedrying in a manner that demands food. I love Nebbiolo tannins but now aged 5 the vintage’s heat is showing through.
Palate has high enjoyable acidity, some sour cherries in there but development suggesting leather and tobacco.
This is no “light and lithe” Langhe Nebbiolo- it has heft and is better than many barolos- although not a patch on Chiara’s barolos. In my view there’s nothing to be gained from holding these longer- very enjoyable now though!
September 26, 2021 - A bit shy bouquet, but noticeable violets after some time, balanced and refined from start to finish.
February 21, 2021 - Fine Langhe Nebbiolo and one of my favorits.
May 29, 2020 - Well balanced. Long finish. Mild tanins
April 18, 2020 - Translucent reddish-brown color. Nose has subtle hints of oregano. Light body, nice tannins and acidity. Hint of berries. Stayed tight after decanting for an hour. Have another bottle that I will hold for a while to see if it opens up in a few years.
November 14, 2019 - Gordon's Festa d'Italia (Artists for Humanity Center - Boston MA): Walk around tasting. Ripe but simple with good weight, then sneaky good length.