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 393 Delicious Wines!

Energy++

Giovanni Sordo Barbaresco 2016

Nebbiolo | Barbaresco, Italy

Incredible perfume, the hallmark Sordo attention to texture and harmony. Incredible transparency and complexity! A blend from Treiso, Barbaresco and Nieve with exceptional energy and vitality. Lively, balanced acidity. Vibrant juicy cherry fruit, excellent mouthfeel. Incredibly transparency. Wicked complexity so much going on. Layered. Showing just how good 2016 Barbaresco is. Such a refreshing wine.
$102
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Giovanni Rosso Barolo del Comune di Serralunga 2017

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

2017 completes an excellent trilogy of Rosso's Commune wine! Giovanni Rosso’s fabulously good value Barolo Comune di Serralunga d’Alba is made from fruit grown across 8 different estate vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba. The fruit is sourced from Crus such as Cerretta and Serra, also released as single vineyard bottlings, as well as Meriame, Sorano, Costabella, and Baudana Those who have tried even the Langhe Neb will have quickly seen a wine from a maker with an understanding of harmony,
$102
$97ea in any 3+
$92ea in any 6+

La Ca’ Növa Barbaresco 2019

Nebbiolo | Barbaresco, Italy

Excellent bright fruit, fine dusty tannins, long with a beautiful flavour profile, poised and delicious. Thirst-quenching drink. Red fruits, with a little, orange citrus, slight savoury note. Great balance here. A joy. Tasted 30 May 2022. La Ca' Növa 2019 Barbaresco will tempt readers with its effusive aromatics and compelling Nebbiolo fruit, but a few years in bottle are advisable to help the tannins soft. Medium in body and wonderfully translucent, the 2019 is such a great example of w
$103
$99ea in any 3+
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Cascina Luisin Barabaresco ‘Paolin’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Barbaresco, Italy

‘Paolin’ is predominantly (90%) from a relatively cool and elevated cru called Basarin in Neive, of which Bruno Giacosa is also a major owner. The exposure is southerly and vine age is 40 years on average.  It shows a degree of delicacy, no doubt due to the site, with elegant aromas of rose, cherry and sweet spice. Slightly darker fruit characters come through on the palate: blueberry, blackberry and even blackcurrant. Savoury, cedar-like flavours play a part, and the spiciness of the bouqu
$105
$100ea in any 3+
$95ea in any 6+

Cantine Garrone Prünent 2018

Red Blend | Valli Ossolane, Italy

Neb from the FAR NORTH ... Stylistically think the more ethereal communes of Valtellina! Brooding and darker than the Ca d’Mate with a build in structure. A little Austere, yet you can see there is much to come with time in bottle. Openning in the glass to reveal woody herbs, fresh sour cherry and complexities beyond. Such a different balance point to Barolo & Barbaresco. 13.5% sees vibrant fruit with layered dusty ripe tannins, whereas Barolo and Barbaresco need 14.5% for the same. En
$105
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$95ea in any 6+

Giovanni Rosso Barolo del Comune di Serralunga 2018

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Italy

Giovanni Rosso’s fabulously good value Barolo Comune di Serralunga d’Alba is made from fruit grown across 8 different estate vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba. The fruit is sourced from Crus such as Cerretta and Serra, also released as single vineyard bottlings, as well as Meriame, Sorano, Costabella, and Baudana Those who have tried even the Langhe Neb will have quickly seen a wine from a maker with an understanding of harmony, restraint and purity. Aromas of red berry, camphor and
$107
$102ea in any 3+
$97ea in any 6+

Luigi Pira Barolo del Commune di Serralunga 2017

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Italy

Always a blend of the three crus below, the Barolo ‘Serralunga’ in recent times has had the maceration/fermentation time slowed down to 2 weeks to allow for a more gradual and integrated process – all four Baroli are made this way. Once complete, the wine is moved into 25 hectolitre aged barrels for a minimum of 2 years, then rested for an additional year or two (depending on the vintage) before being released to the market. The most approachable of the four Baroli, this is a symphony of e
$108
$103ea in any 3+
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Massolino Barolo DOCG 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. Also available as a Magnum.
$108
$103ea in any 3+
$98ea in any 6+
Grumello is to the east of Sondrio on the opposite side to Sassella making for a fascinating comparison in site! Grumello is to the east of Sondrio on the opposite side to Sassella making for a fascinating comparison in site! This is where the largest strides have been made. We’ve seen both of the Grumello Riservas priced at the same point now. Whatever is happening in the vineyard or winery to make that happen is translating into this Superiore (ArPePe makes either Superiores or Riservas in
$108
$103ea in any 3+
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Crystal clear with a more savoury flavour profile. As it opens in the glass it comes together beautifully! As is always the case a little bolder richer and more immediate generosity here in the context of Valtellina than the Sassella. A great contrast to the Sassella with a rounder mid-palate. A little more grip offers an energy to that mid-palate fruit that continues to drive through. Just a little lift adds intrigue and that alpine earthiness plays around the edge. Another excellent Fiamme
$108
$103ea in any 3+
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🇮🇹Bravo Isabella!👏🏻
As with the 2015 & 2017 I found myself not really wanting to write tasting notes simply wanting to devour the glass! Sassella typically produces the most elegant wines of the three communes with Inferno next and Grumello the boldest. Another superb Sassella. Smoking wine. Everything is here and in all the right places. Elegance and sophistication caressing long fine tannins. Seamless harmony. Energy and vitality in a very complete wine. Line and length with a long vertical palate. A be
$108
$103ea in any 3+
$98ea in any 6+

Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2020

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

Once again proving PdB's Barbaresco is a great benchmark! The 2020 still so youthful unfurls in the glass with time. Perfumed, flowing into generous yet retrained red fruits. Energy with length and layered tanin. Beautifully weighted through the palate. Slatey, mineral with graphite fine tannins. A little spice and a faint resinous line adding to the intrigue. A complete wine that screams Barbaresco. The 2020 Barbaresco boasts an ample set of aromas with wild cherry, blue flower, sweet
$108
$103ea in any 3+
$98ea in any 6+

Barale Barbaresco ‘Serraboella’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Neive, Barbaresco

They understand the rule book so have thrown it away only to be used when they know they need to. I guess that's what 150 years of making wine can give you! There's a big difference between old school, never changed a thing, and, old school true to style, yet, with deep consideration of modern science. Looking at the film below you'd think Barale may be the former. Reading their website it is clear that they are the later. They understand the rule book so have thrown it away only to be used when
$109
$104ea in any 3+
$99ea in any 6+

E. Pira (Chiara Boschis) Langhe Nebbiolo 2020

Nebbiolo | Monforte d'Alba, Italy

From Ravera in Monforte. As the vines age they will make Barolo! From Ravera in Monforte, this is made from the youngest vines (that will eventually be made as Barolo) and is made the same way as her three baroli and then aged in barriques for twelve months. As a baby Barolo, this has some serious pedigree with rich, plush fruit of red berries with crushed flowers. Hard to beat for the money and an ‘affordable’ cellaring option.
$109
$104ea in any 3+
$99ea in any 6+
Tasted this with Pietro Oddero @ WINE DECODED HQ, Nov 2022 I keep saying drink more than 1 wine at a time, you'll accelerate your appreciation for the best gear and drink better sooner. Tasted next to the 2017 with Pietro to share his reflections of both years and vines. Once again we're seeing the adage producer, producer, producer win. Two very different vintages 2017 warm, 2018 cool with disease pressure, hail events and beyond. Oddero's Barolo from both vintages are excellent wines and
$109
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Cascina Roccalini Barbaresco 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

When a young winery pop's up a little leg work is required to suss them out. Obviously, the most important thing is what's in the glass. Let's add the other bits of the equation though. The vineyards are right next to Olek Bondonio's joint, they used to supply their Neb to Dante Scaglione at Bruno Giacosa for ten years, and Dante helped them start their own venture. BOOM! The 2019 Barbaresco is playful expression, strawberries and cream lift from the glass. The label is a visual descriptor of
$109
$104ea in any 3+
$99ea in any 6+