Tag Archives: nebbiolo

Elio Sandri Barolo Riserva DOCG 2005

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Estate: Founded by Giovanni Sandri in 1965, Giovanni was born into a family of farmers from which he learned the art of grape growing and winemaking. In 1965 he purchased Cascina Disa and began crafting his Barolos. Today the estate is headed by Elio and Daniela Sandri, along with their children Luna and Riccardo. Located in the Langhe hills of Monforte d’Alba, the estate consist of 7 hectares of vineyards, with the oldest vines dating back to 1937, the newest 2001. With an emphasis on ecological balance and preservation, in 1999 they purchased a neighboring forest, in order “to balance the impact of human activity with the territory”. As with many other Barolo estates, they also produce Dolcetto and Barbera wines.

Winemaking: Organic, natural processes [along with some biodynamic principles] and minimum interventions are followed in the both the vineyard and cellar. Overall the vineyards consist of marine soils of calcareous clay; grapes for the Riserva are sourced from “the best land where the marl comes to the surface”. Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts followed by “5 years in large old slovonian oak barrels and bottle”. Bottling done only during the waning moon.

For a more in depth look at Elio Sandri, his wines and vineyards, please click here for Gregory Dal Piaz’s fantastic article on his visit to Cascina Disa.

Tasting Notes: Dark garnet with brick edges in colour, with aromas of tar and rose. Agile and engaging, with that divine pairing of tar and rose flavours encased in red berry fruit and velvety tannins. Classic, elegant, powerful, everything I want in Barolo.

Pairing Suggestions from the Winery: Superb for hearty meat dishes, truffles, game and strong Piemontese cheese.

100% Nebbiolo
Barolo DOCG
Italy
Bottled by Azienda Agricola Elio Sandri
14% Alcohol
€50 restaurant wine list in Florence Italy [I could not find any other listed price.]
Enjoy now thru 2022

Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Il Mimo’ Nebbiolo Rosé Colline Novaresi DOC 2016

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Estate: Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo is located in Ghemme, at the top of the Piedmont region of northern Italy. The property has been handed down from father to son for centuries, all the while cultivating grapes for their own use or selling to other wineries. [The family’s “viticulture presence in Ghemme is documented from the beginning of the 1500s onwards”.] In 1977 Alberto Arlunno took the reins of the estate, revitalizing and increasing the vineyards and began estate bottling the grapes. Today the estate consists of 100 hectares, 34 of which are under vine.

Winemaking: Grapes were sourced from vineyards located on alluvial hills where “in ancient times the great Monte Rosa glacier receded. The soil is rich in easily fragmented pebbles providing the vines with a quantity of minerals.” The Nebbiolo Rosé takes its name from an ancient Roman mime mask that was found at the base of the Ghemme hill. Both theatre and wine are areas presided over by the ancient Greek god Dionysus, [or Bacchus during Roman times].

Tasting Notes: Bright orange-coral in colour with soft aromas of peach, citrus zest and lemongrass. Light peach, currant, citrus and grass flavours are accented by a bright acidity, peach and apricot comprise the dry, fruity finish. A little more body then most Rosé, don’t drink this straight out of the fridge, let it sit in the glass a bit for the aromas and flavours to open.

100% Nebbiolo
Colline Novaresi DOC
Italy
Estate Bottled by Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo di Alberto Arlunno
13.5% Alcohol
$12
Enjoy now

Trediberri Rosato Langhe DOC 2016

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Estate: The Trediberri [three of Berri] estate is located in the small village of Berri, in the westernmost part of La Morra, close to the Tanaro River in the Langhe region of Piedmonte. Nicola Oberto along with his friend Vladimiro Rambaldi founded Trediberri in 2007, when they purchased 5 hectares in Barolo. Today their vineyard holdings have increased to include 2 hectares in the Rocche Annunziata and Torriglione, where they produce Barolo, Barbera and Sauvignon Blanc, along with renting an additional hectare in La Morra.

The family winery is aware that they are young, but they are passionate about crafting “the most drinkable and balanced wines possible”. Using artisan, traditional and organic methods, but not limiting themselves to any one particular practice, they strive for equilibrium in their wines. They tend to age in cement, however depending on the individual grape or vineyard, they may choose to use wood instead. Progressive, honest and fantastically witty, check out their original, clever bio page here.

Tasting Notes: Bright pink-red in colour, bursting with aromas of fresh strawberries, wildflowers and rain washed minerals. Exuding the freshness of early summer, with juicy strawberry and raspberry flavours glazed with bright acidity. Compelling candied ginger and crushed white peppercorn lead into the refreshing, dry fruit finish that keeps you reaching for more.

80% Nebbiolo, 20% Barbera
Langhe DOC
Italy
Bottled by Società Agricola Trediberri di Nicola Oberto & C. ss
12.5% Alcohol
$15 [average price]
Enjoy now

Rainoldi ‘Sassella’ Valtellina Superiore DOCG 2011

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Estate: The Rainoldi estate was founded in 1925 by Aldo Rainoldi and is located in northern Lombardy, an area noted for its Nebbiolo cultivation. The “current Aldo” heads the 9 hectare family estate today, using sustainable methods in order to encourage and protect “the ecosystem balance of the vineyard, and consequently, the health and longevity of the plants.” The estate has become renowned for crafting wines “with strong personalities”.

Winemaking: The vineyards are located on intensely steep slopes [350-600m above sea level] with shallow, loose soils and an average vine age of over 60 years. In addition to receiving full sun, there is an extreme range in day to night temperatures, “which allows to have healthier grape bunches and more aromatic wines”. Integrated production and sustainable methods are used; in fact the only time pesticides are used at all is in extreme cases to combat “Flavescence Dorée, a serious disease transmitted by vine leafhoppers”.

Grapes for Sassella are sourced from vineyards rich in iron soils. Aged in Slavonian oak barrels “for about 20 months”, then 9 months in the bottle before release.

Tasting Notes: Nearly transparent garnet in colour with inviting aromas of rose, tarry earth, cherry and a wisp of eucalyptus. Tasting similar to the aromas, with cherry and strawberry overlaying the earthy, tar core. Silky smooth tannins compliment crushed white peppercorn, dried rose petal, fruit and earth on the lengthy finish. Fantastically engaging, light and airy yet packed with rich dense flavours, great on its own but also a wonderful pair with hearty dishes.

Pairing Suggestions From the Winery: It is specially recommended for red meat, but it can be perfectly combined with hearty first courses and semi-mature cheeses.
Serve at 16-18°C [61-64°F]

100% Nebbiolo
Valtellina Superiore
Italy
Estate Bottled by Aldo Rainoldi
13% Alcohol
$17
Enjoy now thru 2017
*Only 666 cases made

Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno Cannubi Barolo DOCG Riserva 2008

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Estate: For 5 generations the Borgogno family has been producing wine in the heart of the Cannubi area of Piedmont in northern Italy. The family has a total of 3 hectares of vineyards on the famed Cannubi hill. Today sisters Anna and Paola Borgogno are in the process of handing the reins over to daughters Emanuela and Federica.

Cannubi is the oldest single vineyard, most historical cru within the commune of Barolo [there is a bottle of Cannubi 1752 in a museum]. A hill of vineyards, there are only 5 parcels total. Cannubi wines are renowned for their elegance and finesse, specifically their floral notes. Although incredibly age worthy [20 years +] they can also be enjoyed earlier on, typically beginning at around 6 years old.

Philosophy: Believing that wine is a reflection of the earth from which it comes, the family  “grows our grapes with love, protecting our ancient craft, the one of wine-making, based on deep roots, handed down from generation to generation”.

Winemaking: Vineyard soil is a mix of fine sand and limestone. Aged for 5 years in large Slavonian oak barrels.

Tasting Notes: Maroon with brick edges in colour. Significantly aromatic with aromas of sweet dark fruit, tar, leather, anise, spice and dark chocolate. Cherry jam, raisin and floral layers are laced with wisps of smoke and joined by harmonizing acidity in the full body. Backed by substantial yet silky tannins, an herbaceous undercurrent runs thru, fusing into menthol hints that compliment the elongated, plush fruity finish.

100% Nebbiolo
Cannubi Barolo DOCG
Italy
Estate Bottled by Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno
14.5% Alcohol
$36
Enjoy now thru 2030
bottle N. 8208

Rated 95 points by Wine Enthusiast
Rated 91 points by Wine Advocate