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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🇮🇹A Vajra Classic 🍷

Vajra Barolo ‘Albe’ 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo (sub-region)

The 2019 Albe is looking good with loads of energy. There's a nice build in density and quality tannins that are layered and ripe with excellent weight. Darker fruits. It’s good to see this looking so vibrant, flowing and fun. Delicious. Baking spice, woody herb & lick of licorice very good. Full of energy. Great drinking. This is certainly one of the most popular and versatile wines made in Italy, and deservedly so. The well-priced G.D. Vajra 2019 Barolo Albe shows some ripe fruit

$111

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Albino Rocca ‘Cottà’ Barbaresco 2017

Nebbiolo | Barbaresco, Italy

“One of the highlights in this range, the 2017 Barbaresco Cottà possesses tremendous depth along with the sheer breadth that is the key signature of this Neive cru. Black cherry, plum, leather, licorice, mint and lavender soar out of the glass, all with the backing of serious tannins that are going to need time to soften. This is impressive stuff.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous

$114

$109ea in any 3+

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Barale Barolo del Commune di Barolo 2018

Nebbiolo | Italy, Barolo

At a splash over $100 this is one of the best value Barolo on the market. Delicious, expressive Barolo with fine acid and gentle yet present tannins. Plush, rewarding. Umami with a long, mouthfilling core of red fruit. Savoury and nicely developed with excellent élévage, just a little lift that sits well against the generous fruit. An excellent introduction to the Barale Barolos. Hoovered a bottle with a roast chook and went to a very happy place. The fruit for this wine comes from Castelle

$114

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Luigi Baudana Barolo Serralunga 2015

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Italy

A Barolo speaking of his terroir, an expression of Serralunga lifted powercoming from grapes belonging to multiple vineyards of the village.

$115

Giovanni Rosso Barolo del Comune di Serralunga 2019

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

Excellent. flowing, beautifully weighted with a density of elegant fruit. Super refined long tannin. So seamless, harmonious and delicious. Complex with a tea line combined with layered tannins. Gorgeous fruit, superb drinking. Fabulously good value. Made from fruit grown across 8 different estate vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba. The fruit is sourced from Crus such as Cerretta and Serra, Meriame, Sorano, Costabella, and Baudana. Cask sample of the final blend. A tad closed but with a

$115

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One for the Neb Heads!

Cascina Pugnane Barolo ‘Pugnane’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Castiglione Falletto

This has to rate as one of the best value Neb's on the market! It was Giusseppe Rinaldi that told Giorgio of the beauty of the wines from Cascina Pugnane. It's rare to find 2 Barolo around $100 that are such excellent drinks. There's a lovely density to this wine, savoury with dark cherries, dusty tannins and great length to this wine. A little edginess gives it personality, a vibrant line of acid tames the almost inky fruit. Plenty of layers of earthiness and woody herbs. Pure, joyful Neb! I

$116

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Bera Barbaresco ‘Serraboella’ 2019

Nebbiolo | Neive, Italy

Excellent drinking at this price point. Complete with well developed strawberries and cream with savoury, generous fruit. Playful and fun, solid depth and length. This is a big step up from the standard Barbaresco. The sophistication of mouthfeel, layering of tannins and flavours marking the difference. Serraboella turns out wines of interest from a number of producers including Barale, looking forward to seeing their 2019 too! This one is well worth a look.

$117

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Albino Rocca ‘Ovello Vigna Loreto’ Barbaresco 2017

Nebbiolo | Barbaresco, Italy

Rocca's 'Ovello Vigna Loreto' has a generosity and delicacy about it. A real elegance and fine tannins. This shows the beauty of the Ovello Cru. “The 2017 Barbaresco Ovello is fine and sculpted, as wines from this cru are, but in 2017 it has an extra bit of weight that really balances some of the natural austerity that comes so easily in Ovello. Crushed red berries, chalk, mint, white pepper and rose petal fill out the layers effortlessly. Vivid and translucent in the glass, the 2017 is incred

$118

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Due April 2024

Bruno Giacosa Nebbiolo d’Alba Casa Vinicola 2022

Nebbiolo | Roero, Italy

Giacosa’s Nebbiolo d’Alba uses fruit sourced solely from the Roero area, and the wine alongside both the Arneis and Nebbiolo Valmaggiore from here have a long and storied history with Bruno Giacosa. It is no coincidence that 1974 saw the first bottling of both Arneis and Nebbiolo d’Alba from Giacosa, as they were sourced from the same growers. The same is mostly true today, and where the Arneis is grown in the predominantly North-facing slopes of the vineyards in Roero, the Nebbiolo comes

$118

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Pinot-esque!!

Sandro Fay Valgella Valtellina Superiore Riserva Carteria 2016

Nebbiolo | Valtellina, Italy

Grace under pressure. The purity, line & length, and, expression of this wine is exceptional. Where the 2016 Costa Bassa drinks so beautifully out of the gate. 2016 Carteria steps up the depth, length and layering, this will be superb. Brooding and a little darker than the Costa Bassa, it's not just depth of flavour, but depth of tannin that shine. A little patience will yiled a treasure! The textures, harmony and pleasure Sandro Fay are dishing up is exceptional. This will undoubtedly hit the

$119

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Luigi Pira Barolo del Commune di Serralunga 2018

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

I recall being impressed by Pira's 2018 Langhe Nebbiolo a couple of years on and the Barolo 'Commune di Serralunga' is impressing too! Openning in the glass with vibrant red fruits, tea, a little earthiness, slate, licorice and more. The layered density of the fruit with zippy acid has you salivating for more. The tannins are composed and front, mid-palate dominant, that slate comes through here to. Tight at the moment with 3-5 years it should fall into place, the juicy acid marry into the wine

$119

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What a way to start DOCG Barolo!

Massolino Barolo DOCG 2019

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Italy

Diam. First produced in 1911, the fruit for Massolino’s classic cuvée is selected from seven sites across roughly seven hectares of prime-sited Serralunga vineyards. The most important of these sites—Briccolina, Collareto, Broglio and Le Turne—are dotted around the town itself (Le Turne borders Margheria, while Collareto lies next to Vigna Rionda)—so we are talking quality real estate. The 2019 also includes a little declassified fruit from Massolino’s Parussi Cru. Vine age varies fro

$119

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Masculine Precise

Domenico Clerico Barolo 2013

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo (sub-region)

From one of the Barolo Boys, it's only fitting that 2013 has ended up as the release in the year of Domenico's Passing A Barolo with a great purity of darker fruit, hints of tar, and, a perfumed lift of violets. Just a lick of oak adding to the wine's complexity. Lovely generosity and length of fruit. Long even tannins.

$120

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Oddero Barbaresco ‘Gallina’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

After 3 days open this came into its own and really shone. 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! Some serious quality here. Vibrant and energetic Slatey mineral chalky nature. Excellent mouth-coating tannins that are fine with great line and length. Juicy acid ramps up some juicy fruit. Excellent elevage. The lasting note is fruit, red and fun. That little splash of perfume sp

$120

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Albino Rocca ‘Ronchi’ Barbaresco 2017

Nebbiolo | Barbaresco, Italy

Wow! Tagged as the best holding of the estate you can see why! “The 2017 Barbaresco Ronchi is terrific. Dark, ample and resonant, the Ronchi envelops all the senses from the very first taste. Succulent red cherry, plum, rose petal, spice, mint and licorice all build as the Ronchi shows off its considerable allure. Readers will have a very hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine from the Rocca family.” Antonio Galloni

$120

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Cogno Barolo ‘Cascina Nuova’ 2017

Nebbiolo | Novello, Italy

A very pretty entry-level offering from Elvio Cogno. Bright red berry and lifted floral notes pair nicely with the wine's gracious, mid-weight feel. Silky tannins match the wine's finely sculpted, saline-infused personality. "The 2017 Barolo Cascina Nuova is an attractive wine to drink now and over the next decade or so. Bright red-toned fruit, crushed rose petal and mint open in the glass. The tannins are a bit grainy, but I would not push my luck too far on aging." Antonio Galloni, Vinous

$120

$115ea in any 3+

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