Red Wine

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo, pronounced NEH-bee-oh-low, is such a unique variety. The name is derived from the Italian word Nebbia meaning fog.

Two theories for the name exist. The first that it refers to the fog that the vineyards of the Langhe are often immersed in. Second that the natural bloom that covers the grapes gives them a foggy appearance. Given the latter applies to most red grapes I prefer the former! There are 4 main clones of which Nebbiolo Lampia dominates over  Nebbiolo Michet, Rosé (now proven to be a different variety), and, Bolla.

Where is it grown?

Southern central and north Piemonte. The two big guns here are Barolo and Barbaresco. It is grown throughout the Langhe including the Roero, Asti, Carema, Biella, Novara and Vercelli. In Alto Piedmonte, it is known as Spanna, and, is often blended with Croatina and Vespolina. We have seen Giacomo Conterno buy Nervi in the Commune of Gattinara to produce wines in the region. It is also grown in the lower parts of the Valle d’Aosta where it is known as Picotendroi, and, Valtellina in Lombardy where it is called Chiavennasca among others.

What does it taste like?

The ultimate case of not judging a book by its cover, Nebbiolo, at first appears pale in colour, old wines can have the appearance of rusty tap water.

Then you smell it! The aroma of most red wines is dominated by fruit characters. In contrast, Nebbiolo’s aroma is typically a mix of complex secondary aromas, earthy, tarry, spice, rose, citrus peel, woody herbs like rosemary, liquorice, phenol, dark chocolate, tobacco, truffles, leather, and, dark cherry fruit, often more evident on the palate. You’ll see this difference immediately by comparing it two the other two main Piedmontese varieties Barbera and Dolcetto.

Good Nebbiolo has a core of fruit running the length of your tongue, along with layers of those same secondary characters. Nebbiolo’s grape tannins give it a distinct texture, that for those who have not tried it before can seem hard, and, unyielding. Look for the quality and depth of tannin.

Achieving well balance tannin, alcohol, and, acidity makes for great Nebbiolo.

More than most other Italian wines, Nebbiolo, demands food to be at its best. A little fat and salt, enhance the texture and bring out the flavours.

Check out all the articles in the Wine Bites Mag exploring Nebbiolo.

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Showing 392 Delicious Wines!

Rare as Hens' teeth!

Oddero Barolo ‘Rocche di Castiglione’ 2017

Nebbiolo | Castiglione Falletto, Italy

Rocche di Castiglione has to be one of my favourite Crus. The wines have incredible harmony, they are just so complete. I haven't had the chance to try this. I have devoured the 2017 Villero from just around the corner. Given Oddero's consistency through their range I'd say you're in for very safe bet here! The 2017 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is a beautiful wine that captures the natural intensity of the year while maintaining the style of the site. Silky aromatic and wonderfully nua
$215
$205ea in any 3+
$195ea in any 6+

E. Pira (Chiara Boschis) Barolo ‘Mosconi’ 2017

Nebbiolo | Monforte d'Alba, Italy

The 2017 Barolo Mosconi is a powerful, brooding wine. Black cherry, gravel, dried herbs, scorched earth, spice and leather add to an impression of gravitas. This is an especially somber, potent Barolo that needs time to soften. Even so, it will always be a brute. The substantial finish is a thing of beauty. The Barolo Mosconi emerges from the estates oldest vines, which are 70-80 years old, and is aged in barrique. Galloni
$215
$205ea in any 3+
$195ea in any 6+
🇮🇹Bravo Isabella!👏🏻
As with the 2015 I found myself not really wanting to write tasting notes simply wanting to devour the glass! Although it was line ball between the 2015 Inferno and Sassella I always lent toward the Sassella as a personal preference. ArPePe have delivered a cracker. Sassella typically produces the most elegant wines of the three communes with Inferno next and Grumello the boldest. The weight of the Sassella is on par with the Inferno this year. This has excellent shape on palate. A nice step
$215
$205ea in any 3+
$195ea in any 6+
The 2017 Barolo Monvigliero marries the raciness of the year with the floral lift and elegance of this great Verduno site. More than anything, the 2017 is a Barolo of pure and total sensuality. Even so, there is more than enough tannin to allow the 2017 to drink well for many years to come. It is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. The rich, substantial finish is a thing of real beauty. Antonio Galloni, Vinous
$216
$206ea in any 3+
$196ea in any 6+

E. Pira (Chiara Boschis) Barolo ‘Via Nuova’ 2018

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Italy

This one's an argument for blending sites! The 2017 Barolo Via Nuova is a blend of seven plots from Barolo, Monforte & Serralunga! This one’s an argument for blending sites! The 2018 Barolo Via Nuova is an organic blend of fruit from six MGA sites: Terlo and Liste (in Barolo), Ravera di Monforte and Mosconi (in Monforte d’Alba) and Gabutti and Baudana (in Serralunga d’Alba). 2018 is restrained in feel, but all the elements are so well balanced. Freshly cut flowers, mint, crushed ro
$218
$208ea in any 3+
$198ea in any 6+

Cogno Barolo ‘Ravera’ 2018

Nebbiolo | Novello, Italy

"These vineyards represent the classic side of our production. They make elegant, smooth, and fresh wines with a fine aroma." Valter Fissore "This beautiful, luminously hued Barolo opens with enticing scents of perfumed berry, dark spice, eucalyptus, violet and forest floor. The savory palate combines elegance and structure, delivering juicy red cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and wild mint framed in taut, refined tannins that give it a smooth but firm texture. Bright acidity keeps energiz
$219
$209ea in any 3+
$199ea in any 6+

Paolo Scavino Barolo ‘Ravera’ 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Italy

The 2019 Barolo Ravera is a striking, vivid wine. Crushed rose petal, mint, orange peel and white pepper lend an exotic flair. Tightly-wound and nervy, but with notable depth, the 2019 is classic Ravera through and though. I would give it a few years to soften, as the acids and tannins are both very youthfully vibrant. Clean mineral notes frame the intensely saline, taut finish.  Drink 2029-2039 Antonio Galloni, Vinous 95 Points With fruit from the village of Novello, this wine is mor
$219
$212ea in any 3+
$205ea in any 6+

Paolo Scavino Barolo ‘Movigliero’ 2019

Nebbiolo | Verduno, Italy

This Cru is the jewel in the crown of the Commune of Verduno in Barolo! The 2019 Barolo Monvigliero is a gorgeous wine that marries the classicism of this site with the bright, forward fruit that is such a signature of the Scavino style. Freshly-cut roses, kirsch, mint, cinnamon and blood orange race across the palate, supported by vibrant acids and veins of sinewy tannin. This seems to call for at least a few years in bottle. Drink 2025-2039 Antonio Galloni, Vinous 95 Points Continuin
$219
$212ea in any 3+
$205ea in any 6+

Margherita Otto ‘M8’ Barolo 2017

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

This one's another argument for blending sites! From a disciple of Maria Theresa Mascarello. The 2017 M8 is a blend of Castiglione Falletto, Monforte & Serralunga fruit! I rarely buy wine site unseen. I did so with the 2016 M8. I couldn’t resist! The story and experience behind Allan Manley’s launch of his own venture has seen him work with a veritable who’s who of Barolo ending with Maria Theresa Mascarello where he still works. As you might expect he’s a proponent of blended Barolo vs

Albino Rocca ‘Angelo’ Barbaresco 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

In hommage to Angelo this goes back to his father’s days when blending was the norm. A truly beautiful blend. The gentle fruit handling and longer maceration or lunga macerazione (55 days here) has yielded a lovely perfume, a savoury core of fruit with delicacy and persistence. The tannins are wonderful. There’s a little truffle, a little liquorice, a little of lots of things coming to play. This is a wine worthy of being a hommage! Each parcel is picked separately, 3-4 days apart, and added
$226
$216ea in any 3+
$206ea in any 6+

Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo ‘Villero’ 2018

Nebbiolo | Castiglione Falletto, Italy

Grace under pressure! Castiglione Falletto shining through with those faded flower. Excellent long tannins of substance and sophistication. A beguiling core of fruit, brooding, yet, you can see what is to come. Flow and shape. It feels very complete. Fine and long. It has that intrigue that steps it up another notch. Very good. Earthy and truffled, serious stuff. Persistence has you taking note as it dances along. Rocche di Castiglione and Villero in Castiglione Falletto consistentlly sit amo
$227
$217ea in any 3+
$207ea in any 6+
The first time we’ve managed to squeeze out an allocation of ‘San Francesco’ Saint Francesco. We are very happy! Stepping up to the two single vineyards the depth and length build. Darker and brooding, a slight reductive note washes away to reveal a savoury, truffled layer over those woody herbs. Slatey with mineral acids, sitting marginally prouder than in the other 2 Riservas and tannins of balanced grip. Finishing with lingering fruit. Given a decade the acid resolves this will
$228
$218ea in any 3+
$208ea in any 6+
What a way to start DOCG Barolo!

Massolino Barolo DOCG MAGNUM 2015

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Italy

Tasting this, my first thoughts were this was the best DOCG I'd had from Massolino! Tasting this, my first thoughts were this was the best DOCG I'd had from Massolino. Thoughts echoed shortly after by winemaker Giovanni Agnelli. The wine has a lovely line and length. Great purity, initially it seemed tightly coiled, opened quickly to reveal an enticing perfume, generosity of fruit, layering and savouriness. Add to that a little liquorice and tar. The wine has great harmony, depth and length. Jus
$230
$220ea in any 3+
$210ea in any 6+

Vajra Barolo ‘Ravera’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

The 2016 Barolo Ravera is tough as nails today, but it has striking inner sweetness and remarkable persistence. Even so, readers will have to exercise a great deal of patience, as the 2016 is not likely to offer much in the way of pleasure for a number of years. Bright red cherry, mint, white pepper, blood orange and dried flowers give the 2016 brilliant top notes to match its finely sculpted feel. Veins of acidy and tannin add razor-sharp precision throughout. I can't wait to taste this in anot

Luigi Baudana Barolo ‘Cerretta’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

Nebbiolo, Barolo, Serralunga, Cerretta, 2013 = Enough Said! The 2016 Barolo Cerretta is dark, virile and imposing. Black cherry, lavender, scorched earth, cloves, leather and a range of balsamic notes give the Cerretta its somber, virile feel. Ample and powerful yet also medium in body, the Cerretta captures so much of what makes Nebbiolo so captivating, specifically the ability for a wine to constantly transform in the glass. Galloni

Luigi Baudana Barolo ‘Baudana’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

Nebbiolo, Barolo, Serralunga, Baudana, 2013 = Enough Said! The 2016 Barolo Baudana is laced with sweet red cherry, floral overtones and silky tannins, all of which make it one of the more refined, sensual Serralunga Barolos readers will come across. In this tasting, the Baudana impresses with its haunting aromatics and transparent expression of Nebbiolo. Like all of these wines, it needs time in bottle but it is super impressive, even in the early going. Galloni