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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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

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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

$230

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

$230

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

$230

Luigi Pira Barolo ‘Vigna Rionda’ 2017

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Italy

In recent times, Vigna Rionda gets spoken about as the grand cru of the Langhe – altitude, exposure and soil profile play an integral part. As expected, this is Giampaolo’s flagship wine. The oak regime is similar to the ‘Marenca’ but with a larger portion of newer oak – around 30%. Ultra-powerful and layered in fragrances, flavours and textures. Smoke, graphite, incense, stock/porcini, sweet tobacco, violets. All this character is underpinned by a fierce, tingling acid line and a comp

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Polished & Succulent

Paolo Scavino Barolo ‘Bric dël Fiasc’ 2013

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Castiglione Falletto

The wine stands out for the singular elegance it possesses, especially in terms of mouthfeel! Here the Nebbiolo grapes were always the best: consequently in 1978 Enrico convinced his father Paolo to vinify these grapes separately and show for the first time the potential of this site. One of the first grand cru to be made as single vineyard Barolo. Image and identity of Paolo Scavino winery. In the Fiasco vineyard the Tortonian and Helvetian soils cross each other combining a great finesse an

$235

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Margherita Otto ‘M8’ Barolo 2018

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Italy

This one's another argument for blending sites! From a disciple of Maria Theresa Mascarello. The 2018 M8 is a blend of Castiglione Falletto, Monforte & Serralunga fruit! "Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Lifted, perfumed red fruit of great appeal with complex, minty oak notes. A mouthful of juicy cherry fruit with supple acidity and fantastic, crunchy tannins. Freshness and bite combined with elegance. Hugely appealing." Walter Speller, Jancis

$235

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Fratelli Alessandria Barolo ‘Monvigliero’ 2018

Nebbiolo | Verduno, Italy

'The 2018 Barolo Monvigliero is broad, ample and so expressive, all while showing the finesse and classicism that are such a signature of this wine. All elements are so well balanced in a Barolo that speaks to harmony above all else. Sweet red cherry, cedar, orange peel, tobacco and cinnamon give the 2018 tons of aromatic presence. Best of all, the 2018 will drink well with minimal cellaring. It's a gorgeous wine in every way.' Antonio Galloni, Vinous 95 Points

$235

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Giovanni Rosso Barolo ‘Serra’ 2019

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

Wow! Exceptional drinking. Beautifully weighted incredible mid-palate depth of flavour. Intensity and delicacy, now there's a trick. So fine long. Beautifully developed. More layers than a Mille Feuille. Stunning translucent, complex & beguilling. Owned by the Rosso family since 1946, it was replanted in three phases: 1984, 1996 and 2003. La Serra is located about 1km south of the village of Serralunga in the upper part of the Serralunga commune. Intense raspberry fruit with minera

$237

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Nervi-Conterno Gattinara 2020

Nebbiolo | Italy, Gattinara

Historically these wines have had Amazing transparency, sophistication shining though. Alto Piemonte saw another productive vintage in 2020 with no significant hail or frost events. It was a warm year with well-timed rains and a harvest that started early, but not excessively so. Early indications are of a strong set of wines. Looking forward to trying this when it hits the warehouse. Grab a set Conterno's Sensory Glasses to swirl it around in too! The 2020 Gattinara is elegant and lif

$239

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Giovanni Rosso Barolo ‘Cerretta’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

Owned by the Rosso family since 1920, the plot was partly replanted in 1984 and 2000. Situated about 2 miles (3km) to the north of Serralunga village, Cerretta lies close to the hamlet of Baudana and envelops that of Cerretta. The fruit for this Cru wine comes from the best parcel which is shaped like an amphitheatre facing south-east. This part of the vineyard provides a particularly good micro-climate for Nebbiolo since it is protected from stronger winds by the copse at the bottom of the s

$240

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The Super Stars!

Giovanni Sordo Barolo Riserva ‘Rocche di Castiglione’ 2004

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

Lifting the level to Sordo's Riserva Range is always Fun! Winery Direct from an exceptional Barolo Year! Fabulous, both in itself and as a contrast to Villero. Where Villero is delicate and persistent, all finesse, Rocche is much more forceful with a similar range of characters. Everything is darker, deeper and more. The glory of this pre-eminent cru is the combo of style and power; how such waves and complexities stay in such long and vibrant shape. A great Barolo here. All aged releases hav

$244

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Giovanni Sordo Barolo Riserva ‘Perno’ 2004

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

Lifting the level to Sordo's Riserva Range is always Fun! Winery Direct from an exceptional Barolo Year! Update Dec 2023 Devoured at a Christmas function, the 2004 Perno is right in the zone. Sitting in that perfectly mature spot. Earthy and truffled, seamless and harmonious, poised, balanced, flowing and delicious. This aged Barolo is in its prime drinking beautifully. A perfect match to dry-aged duck breast with a white truffle and cured cherry sauce at Al Dente. From my experience o

$244

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The Bold!

Giovanni Sordo Barolo Riserva ‘Gabutti’ 2004

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

The 2004 Riserva we see the parallels with the 2016, 2015 & 2008. The long structure is there, the complexity has built further, the wine is now fully comfortable wearing it's own skin, having resolved and built generosity. Of the 2015 it was clear that there was no chance to mistake the Gabutti, with its abundance of darker things; stock, porcini, graphite, smoke and black cherry. Under this very typical Serralunga ‘tarry/earthy’ mantle though, are other complexities of dried roses, orange

$244

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Massolino Barolo DOCG MAGNUM 2017

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Italy

Excellent fleshy core of fruit. Opens beautiful. Fine acid and expertly handled tannin with a playful edge. Pretty perfume. Fresh red fruits, well balanced. Plenty of fun. Accessible now with much more to come. Comes in individual wooden box. Also available in 750ml.

$245

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Borgogno Barolo ‘Cannubi’ DOCG 2016

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

"The 2016 Barolo Cannubi is the first Borgogno Barolo made from organically farmed vineyards, which represents a pretty significant shift here. Bright and beautifully lifted in the glass, the Cannubi is so expressive today. Succulent red berry fruit, spice, blood orange, rose petal and star anise build as this sensual, open-knit Barolo shows off its allure, which is considerable." Galloni, Vinous

$247

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