Size & Type
Other
$57
Perfumed and dark with a with great presence on palate. Dusty chalky tannins matched with an excellent core of fruit. Anise and tar with a little pleasant snappiness. The tannins sit on the edgy side of the spectrum. Overall a cracker Langhe of good value.
In stock
Spending a couple of hours with Pietro exploring the history of the region, the winery and the people was a pleasure. The quality and personality-filled wines of Poderi Oddero make sense … you’ll see!
Pietro’s grandfather Giacomo, the 5th generation, played a major role in establishing the DOC for Barolo and a suite of agricultural produce, think hazelnuts and white truffles!
While the red tape of a DOC can feel restrictive, at the time the impetus was to collectivley set base level standards that would see the profile of the Langhe raised on a global stage.
Few would argue they haven’t achieved their goal!
Variety
Nebbiolo
Vineyard
Location: La Morra, Santa Maria Bricco San Biagio, Plot 15, Sub-plots 305, 345, 429, 306, 68 Characteristics: 200 meters above sea level, eastern exposure, 2.8 x 0.9 meters spacing, 4,000 vines/hectare density, Guyot upward-trained vertical-trellised training system.
Age: 15 years
Size: 2 hectares
Yield: 80 quintals/hectare
Harvesting period
First 10 days of October
Production
15,000 bottles
Vinification
Selection of grape clusters in the vineyard during the harvest, alcoholic fermentation with maceration for around 15 days, followed by malolactic fermentation.
Maturing
Ageing in different size oak barrels for a year, one year and a half. Bottling in the autumn.
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.
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.
Where in the world does the magic happen?
Frazione S. Maria, 28, 12064 La Morra CN, Italy
Red Blend | South Australia, Australia
Red Blend | Spain, Haro
Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Italy
Pinot Noir | Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy
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