Category: Nebbiolo

17.80 euros from the top shelf of a Conad supermercato in Umbria. 2013 too made resistance useless despite having only gone in for milk and bananas. If only the two dominant Australian chains were as much fun. This was clean typically Langhe nebb   with all the cherries, florals and earthy bits in the right places. Hung on well for two days with good ripe acidity and some grippy but yielding tannin. Possibly missing the rear end depth and intensity of what makes great Barolo and could be taken for a very good Langhe regional. Not complaining for the price, although perhaps not a match for bananas.

14% alcohol. Cork. 17.80 euros precisely.

91 points.

At an irresistible 13.90 euros on the shelf of the venerable Enoteca Trimani not far from the hurly burly of Rome’s Termini Station. Central casting aromas of the Langhe in old roses, old leather chairs, bright red cherries and the basso profundo of the soil. Same in the mouthful with the texture and zing of blood orange juice and fine but stern tannin. Odd thing Nebbiolo as the all flavour seems to be from the middle to end, perhaps a back to front tadpole in shape? Once you get the calling though, the siren don’t stop singing. This one better after a few hours and not quite as bright the next day or maybe this drinker wasn’t. Nonetheless sublime bargain for the Nebb fancier.

14.50% alcohol. Cork. 13.90 euros, yes, the one and three are round the right way.

93 points.

Irresistible buy thanks to the ragazzi from Boccaccio offering this at a bargain of two for $80. Shopping with a good friend meant one each. Happy days. Surly, tough and a bit reductive to open, putting back in the fridge for a couple of days to reflect on its mumbling adolescence seemed to help a bit. Seriously dry and proper Nebbiolo behaving like a traditional Barolo with not much front but plenty of cherry, tarry and dried rose grunt bringing up the rear. Savoury and needing some time to shrug off a bit of meaty sulphide perhaps. Real unresolved tannin and firm acidity. The other bottle bought at the same time was reported as being delicious and ready to talk straight from the sniff. Bottle variation maybe even from the normally perfectionist Vietti or the weird Biodynamic fruitlessly rooty days? Nonetheless a deliciously traditional stern Nebbiolo not without charm.

13.50% alcohol. Diam! $80 for 2 at Boccaccio.

92++ points. Sort of a guess really. Could be more.

A treat from a generous friend’s cellar. Opened a bit rusty looking and perhaps tired as you may expect after a fifteen year sleep. Over an hour the colour darkened and reddened. The extraordinary coiled power of awakening Nebbiolo stared to fill both nose and mouth with dried flowers, cherries and what can only be Langhe soil. The finish still extraordinarily fresh, rich and loooonnnnggg. The tannins firm, rich and melting like candle wax. No danger of underestimating how good Vietti’s basic Barolo can be. Must be a health tonic.

14% alcohol. Cork. Probably about $110 on release.

96 points.