“Absolutely Delicious” - 2017 Giuseppe Rinaldi Dolcetto d'Alba
The wines of Giuseppe Rinaldi are among the greatest traditional wines of the Piedmont. They hardly need an introduction.
The wine world has become obsessed with Rinaldi's soulful, finessed, and old school style.
The Alpine Distance Runner 2015 Ferrando Carema Etichetta Nera
The longevity of Ferrando’s Carema Etichetta Nera is legendary.
Neal Rosenthal, Ferrando’s importer, speaks of a 1964 Etichetta Nera that hit its apogee in 1998—at 34 years of age. This is a bottle that rewards patience.
Wine of the Year Revisited: 2013 Nervi Gattinara Molsino
Just over six months ago, I announced the 2013 Nervi Gattinara Molsino as my wine of the year.
Looking back, the decision looks even better than it did originally. We've drunk a few bottles and they've been stunning.
A Winter Essential: Cappellano Barolo Chinato 750ml
There are few better things to end a meal with—or simply meditate over— than Cappellano’s Chinato.
For us, it’s an indispensable part of our cold weather drinking arsenal.
"I don't think I have tasted a more refined Monfortino than the 2008." -2008 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva
One taste of Conterno's Monfortino makes a couple of things blatantly clear - it's one of the most profound wine experiences around, and it's a distance runner.
The wine simply stops you dead in your tracks.
Roagna's Langhe Rosso has become one of our most popular offerings. Despite its humble designation, it's a bottle that can rival Barolos at twice the price.
Back-Up The Truck: Barolo Edition - 2013 Oddero Barolo
The 2013 vintage represents a high-water mark for Oddero.
In recent vintages, we've been watching this traditionalist going from strength to strength. The wines have steadily grown more complicated and more detailed.
"The 2014 is a superb wine" - 2014 Brovia Barolo Unio
The past handful of vintages have offered ample evidence that Brovia is at the top of their game.
Their 2014 Brovia Barolo Ūnĭo may offer the most persuasive argument for inclusion among Piedmont's elite.
"My answer is: Carema" 2014 Ferrando Carema Etichetta Bianca
Carema is alpine Nebbiolo of breathtaking grace.
For decades, Ferrando's Carema has been the benchmark for the beauty and profundity that Nebbiolo achieves in the northern extremes.
Essential Piedmont - A Game Changer: 2010 San Fereolo Dogliani
Simply put, San Fereolo takes the Dolcetto grape and turns preconceived notions on its head. It casts the grape in a radically different and incredibly compelling light.
San Fereolo introduces an almost unheard of structure, complexity, and soulfulness to the grape.
From Out of the Shadows: 2013 Fracassi Barolo "Mantoetto"
The village of Cherasco lies just outside of La Morra and not far from Verduno.
Unlike La Morra and Verduno, Cherasco exists in almost absolute obscurity.
The Greatest Barolo You Haven't Heard Of 2013 Poderi Colla Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose
"The 2013 reminds me of some of the most profound Barolos and Barbarescos I have tasted." -Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
The Barolo traditionalist estate of Poderi Colla has kept a low profile. The 2013 Bussia Dardi Le Rose changes all of this. As Galloni's note above makes clear, this is simply a standout by any estimation.
When you combine the Rabajà vineyard with the 2013 vintage in Piedmont, the results are dazzling.
The 2013 vintage in Piedmont is all about finesse and clarity. Simply put, Rabajà is a blessed piece of earth for the Nebbiolo grape.
Colombera & Garella's first vintage was 2010 and they almost immediately became the benchmark for the entire Alto Piemonte.
The wines possess such an incredible purity of fruit, precision and fineness that it's impossible not to take notice.
"Roagna's 2012 Barolos and Barbarescos are off the charts."
-Antonio Galloni
There are very few producers working in Piedmont at the level that Roagna is.
Their 2012s drive this home powerfully. As Galloni's quote above makes clear, this is an extraordinary set of wines.
2010 is a magical vintage in Piedmont.
Cantalupo's just released Breclemae captures so much of what makes the vintage exciting. There's depth, elegance and beautifully classical proportions.
"Readers should do everything possible to add some of these wines to their cellars." - 2013 Brovia Barolo Brea - Ca' Mia & Villero
Brovia is at the top of their game. You don't have to look any further for evidence than their 2013 Barolo. Their 2013s firmly places them among Piedmont's elite.
Despite being among the region's top traditionalists, Brovia's wines cost significantly less than their peers. It's difficult to know how long this pricing discrepancy will hold, but it's easy to assume that its days are numbered. For now, Brovia's single vineyard Barolos are some of the smartest buys around.
"This is very nicely done" - 2013 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Tre Stelle
The 2013 vintage in Piedmont has firmly planted itself as one of the top vintages of the past decade.
It joins the ranks of 2001, 2008 and 2010. These vintages gave the undeniably aristocratic Nebbiolo grape the perfect stage to shine in all its glory.