Size & Type
Other
$240
Given the Oddero style and the commune of La Morra this has all the ingredients need to be an impressive wine, and it is just that. Before I got my head fully around the tannin complex in the Poderi Oddero wines I cracked one of these and thought, shit, that’s a bit OTT, just on the tannin side. A third of the bottle coravined out and 1 month later I chucked the rest in a decanter. The transformation blew my mind. All had resolved and harmonised the expression of fruit was superb red and darker fruits, chocolate, licks of truffle, wonderful depth and length. Most dramatically, the softening and layering up of tannins over that time was impressive. A stunning Brunate.
Out of stock
Variety
100% Nebbiolo
Vineyard
Location: La Morra, Plot 11, Sub-plot 414 Characteristics: 300 meters above sea level, southeastern exposure, 2.7 x 0.9 meters spacing, 4,500 vines/hectare density, Guyot upward-trained vertical-trellised training system.
Age: 50-60 years
Size: 0.4 hectares
Yield: 50 quintals/hectare
Harvesting period
First 10 days of October
Production
2,000 bottles
Vinification
Scrupulous vine growing, done through the organic method since 2010. Careful manual selection of grapes, both in the vineyards and in the cellar by means of conveyor belt, gentle de-stemming and pressing. During the best vintages, the de-stemmng is carried out manually. Fermentation and maceration for approximately 25 days, at a constant temperature of 28° C. Malolactic fermentation follows in December.
Ageing
Ageing in 20 Hl oak barrels for about 30 months. Bottling takes place at the end of the summer, with a further year of bottle ageing before release on the market.
Tasting through the wines, they have a rustic nature to them, the tannins are mouth coating, often dusty and chalky. Yet, they’re balanced with a purity and brightness of fruit. There is a faint layer of oak in the Barbera from the new large Stockinger botti refreshing the old botti that have seen decades of use. It sits in balance. Isabella Oddero describes it as neutral and elegant.
The wines demand patience. Drink the DOCG Barolo and Cru’s over 2 or 3 days when young. I write this with a large glass of 2016 Barbaresco ‘Gallina’ in hand. It’s been open for 3 days now and is drinking the best it’s drunk. The tannins have softened a little, harmonising with the fruit. The wine has resolved to reveal a balance, beauty and perfume that sat shy on first opening.
These are superb wines of purity, character and energy. They represent an interpretation of Nebbiolo that requires patience and with it will reward you with bags of personality
– Paul Kaan, Wine Decoded
Readers who enjoy fine, classically built wines will want to check out Oddero. Bravo!
– Antonio Galloni, Vinous
This is a great opportunity to explore tannin and mouthfeel. Two options here.
In Australia, we have wineries that have been around for 150 years. In Germany 4-500 years. Oddero sit in the middle with around a 300 year history.
If only those vines could talk. Now with 35 ha of vines across Barolo and the Gallina Cru in Barbaresco the estate continues to evolve with thoughtful intent.
Like many of the best estates in Piedmonte the attention to detail in the vineyard has lifted a notch or 3 and practices are now organic. I’d love to try their honey and hazelnuts. Italian honey is the bomb!
The film below is in Italian, seriously, just soak it up!
The podcast from Levi Dalton with Isabella Oddero from 2009 and one with Giacomo Oddero that just dropped is well worth a listen.
Since 2008 Luigi Oddero’s vineyards have been certified organic. Work has been underway to improve, soils, trellising and spend more time in the vineyard. Adding reduced yields the focus is clearly on lifting quality! I haven’t seen many older Oddero’s, today’s range have personality to burn.
The Langhe Neb sees a short ferment and maturation in Stainless steel.
The DOCG level Neb’s stay on skins for around 20-28 days in Tine (large vertical wooden barrels).
Stockinger Botti from Austria have been gradually introduced to replace the large old botti. Custom sizes have been bought, just 1 for each vineyard! Isabella describes the wood as being very neutral and austere.
I suspect the Barbera, that handle oak better than Neb, has been used for the first fill to ‘wash’ them of oak flavours and tannins before the Nebbiolo takes its turn. The quality and level of oak in the Barbera is nicely done.
Whatever the technique, the results in the glass are impressive!
We’ve covered the basics about 2015 & 2016 so many times it’s a mute point now. 2015 warm, best wines are excellent. 2016 superb.
What about 2017. Again a warmer year. A year Luca Carrudo of Vietti called excellent for Barbera. Whatever the reality of the weather the reality in the glass for Oddero’s 2017 Langhe Neb is one with a lovely perfume, solid core of fruit, a bag full of edgy tannin that demands food or time, a fun drink and great value.
Based in La Morra, Oddero’s 35ha are spread across Barolo, Barbaresco and Asti. Currently released Cru’s are Vigna Rionda (Serralunga), Rocche di Castiglione (Castiglione Falletto), Brunate (La Morra), Villero (Castiglione Falletto), Bussia Vigna Mondoca (Monforte) Bricco Fiasco – currently blended in into the Barolo Normale.
The 2016 Barolo Brunate is a stunning wine that shows Oddero at their very best. Powerful and yet also magically transparent, as only Nebbiolo can be, the Brunate captivates all the senses with a stunning mélange of aromatic depth, richness and pure power. Hints of orange peel, mint and dried flowers develop with time, but more than anything else, the Brunate is a Barolo that is all about nuance. Today, it is positively dazzling. Wow!
Where in the world does the magic happen?
Frazione S. Maria, 28, 12064 La Morra CN, Italy
You must be logged in to post a comment.