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.

Showing 408 Delicious Wines!

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Giuseppe Quintarelli ‘Ca del Merlo’ 2015

Red Blend | Veneto, Italy

More explosive fruit in the ca del merlo with blackberry and bright savoury cherry /cassis notes. The palate is rich with plenty of red dark fruit and layers of dry herbs and spice. Finishes firm, tight and precise. 55% Corvina and Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Nebbiolo, Croatina, Sangiovese

$265

$255ea in any 3+

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Antoniolo ‘Osso San Grato’ Gattinara Riserva DOCG 2017

Nebbiolo | Italy, Alto Piemonte

Jesus wept on the Bones of Saint Gratto! The very blood of Christ! As you step through the range each wine raises the bar. The first two Riservas already shows great harmony. The Osso San Grato steps it up again. As with the 2016 the acid-tannin complex is superb, even long with an extra layer over the San Francesco. As it opens in the glass it reveals a staggering array of perfumes and flavours. Each sniff and taste reveals another. Hard not to devour now, Ridgey assures me these wi

$265

$255ea in any 3+

$245ea in any 6+

Antoniolo ‘Osso San Grato’ Gattinara Riserva DOCG 2018

Nebbiolo | Italy, Alto Piemonte

Jesus wept on the Bones of Saint Gratto! The very blood of Christ! As you step through the range each wine raises the bar. Hard not to devour now, Ridgey assures me these will last for decades. It’s times like this I wish it was easier to source an aged bottle or two! The 2018 Gattinara Riserva Osso San Grato is one of the great wines of the vintage. It offers notable depth married with a feeling of classicism that is palpable. Dark fruit, leather, spice, menthol, licorice, lavender

$265

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Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà Riserva 2013

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

🍇RABAJÀ RABAJÀ RABAJÀ 🇮🇹 All savoury and stocky, lots of black tea and supple woody herbs. Impressive tannins even long plush mouthfeel. A layer of slatey tannins of supreme quality sit in harmony with the equally long and even core of fruit. There’s a lot going on, still opening in the glass and building nicely. The perfume and fruit on show now! Impressive P.1.S.S. Flavour linger for ages. Seriously good vino. A little hint of truffle building into the mix. Pops of fennel and

$270

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Giuseppe Quintarelli ‘Ca del Merlo’ 2016

Red Blend

55% Corvina and Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Nebbiolo, Croatina, Sangiovese

$274

$264ea in any 3+

$254ea in any 6+

Cavallotto Barolo ‘Bricco Boschis’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

Focused, pure, without interference of oak, complex, considered élévage. Wine of great expression and vibrancy. Aromas of woodland berry, underbrush, hazelnut and camphor form the nose along with a whiff of rose petal in this captivating, delicious wine. The full-bodied, structured palate is still young and primary but already shows raspberry compote, ripe Marasca cherry, star anise, tobacco and the barest hint of game. Tightly knit, noble tannins and fresh acidity provide the firm frame and i

$275

Cogno Barolo ‘Bricco Pernice’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

"The 2016 Barolo Bricco Pernice is absolutely gorgeous. The pedigree of the year comes through in the wine's depth and stature. What a knockout. Ripe black cherry, lavender, spice, menthol, licorice, orange peel and rose petal are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop as the 2016 opens in the glass. Readers should be in no rush here. The 2017 is absolutely stellar." Antonio Galloni, Vinous

$275

$265ea in any 3+

$255ea in any 6+

Antoniolo ‘Osso San Grato’ Gattinara Riserva DOCG 2016

Nebbiolo | Italy, Alto Piemonte

Jesus wept on the Bones of Saint Gratto! The very blood of Christ! Stunning. If I ever made a wine of this caliber I'd retire on the high. Galloni's note is bang on! The acid-tannin complex steps up again from the 'standard' Riserva. The tannins are layered, of depth, fine and long. You can ever so easily lose yourself in the glass! Mind-boggling! "The 2016 Gattinara Riserva Osso San Grato is magnificent. Elegant and weightless, with tremendous precision, the 2016 is all class. Rose petal

$275

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$255ea in any 6+

Margherita Otto ‘M8’ Barolo 2019

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

This one's another argument for blending sites! From a disciple of Maria Theresa Mascarello! Manly worked with Sandrone, Cavallotto and Altare before an extended stint with Maria-Therese Mascarello. When you look at these wineries the diversity of practices they employ, it makes for an exception foundation of experience to launch your own label as Alan did in 2015. From what I've tasted thus far it's only a matter of time before these wines reach the cult status of his peers.

$275

$265ea in any 3+

$255ea in any 6+

Paolo Scavino Barolo ‘Bric dël Fiasc’ 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Castiglione Falletto

The 2019 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is a gorgeous wine in the making. Deep, fleshy and wonderfully nuanced, the 2019 offers up an exotic mélange of kirsch, pomegranate, baking spice and a kick of new oak. Often quite the tannic beast, in 2019, the Bric del Fiasc is impeccable in its balance. The rich, substantial finish is a thing of beauty. Best of all, the 2019 should drink well relatively early for this wine. Drink 2026-2044 Antonio Galloni, Vinous 95 Points With the gold label, the Pao

$281

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Roagna Barbaresco Gallina 2016

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

The flowers, roses, are showing, the red fruits shining, exceptional harmony, the wine has freshened beautifully in the glass over the course of 15 hours. The earthy and savoury notes fallen into the background. Wonderfully fine, long, slatey tanin, so even, the hallmark of extend maceration grace your tongue making for an entrancing dance with devine acid. Tranparent, and, elegant, the fruit weight here is deceptive, much more depth and length than might initially be percieved. Graceful Gallina

$288

$278ea in any 3+

$268ea in any 6+

Roagna Barbaresco Pajè 2016

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

The 2016 Barbaresco Pajè is one of the highlights in this range, as it offers gorgeous mid-palate depth with super-classic structure. Dark cherry, tobacco, licorice, leather and deeply-pitched spice accents infuse the 2016 with captivating nuance. The Pajè represents a bridge to the higher-end wines in this range. All of these wines have become pricey, but the Pajè is one of the larger-production wines and consistently delivers superb quality at a more approachable price than many of the othe

$288

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Roagna Barolo Pira 2016

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

On openning the Pira was all beefstock, savoury with a hint of reduction. Revisited with 15 hours in the glass. There you have it DJ Luca has been at it again. The fruit has come to the fore. The faded flowers so common with great wines from Castiglione Falleto are shining along with red fruit, orange and a hint of baking spice. It’s the shape, focus, mouthfeel and exceptional interplay between fruit of depth and length weighted beautifully against long even tannin matched to vibrant acid that

$288

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Roagna Barbaresco Albesani 2016

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

More power, darker fruit more prominent with a little baking spice, and a clear build in structure by comparison with the Gallina. Again the time on skins and in wood has developed and harmonised this beautifully. It’s woven in so many complexing characters, that as with all delicious wines are hard to pull apart, nor should you try. 15 hours in the glass and the core of fruit is shining through. Firm mid-palate tannin is weighted nicely against that sweet fruit and juicy acid. It will be faci

$288

$278ea in any 3+

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E. Pira (Chiara Boschis) Barolo ‘Mosconi’ 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

The 2019 Barolo Mosconi is the most potent of the three Barolos in the range. It exudes Monforte darkness and virile intensity from the very first taste. Black cherry, plum, mocha, sage, tar, lavender and spice infuse the 2019 with tons of character. This is one of the most elegant wines I have ever tasted from Mosconi, a site that does not naturally lend itself to finesse. Antonio Galloni, Vinous 98 Points

$290

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Margherita Otto ‘M8’ Barolo 2016

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

This one's another argument for blending sites! From a disciple of Maria Theresa Mascarello. The 2016 M8 is a blend of Castiglione Falletto, Monforte & Serralunga fruit! I rarely buy wine site unseen. In this case I couldn't resist! The story and experience behind Allan Manley's launch of his own venture has him working 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 single cru. I can't wait

$295

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