2006 Barolo, Cru Ravera, Monforte d'Alba , Ferdinando Principiano

Ferdinando's first release of this single-vineyard wine, having rented a few more rows to generate critical mass. The Monforte vineyard's perched on a spur overlooking Serralunga's famous Cascina Francia (Conterno) estate; indeed the wine's iron-fist structure and minerally grip, not dissimilar to a Clos de Vougeot, shares much with its Serralunga cousins. But while Ferdinando's Boscareto vineyard, with its sandy make-up continues to ripen long after its neighbours, Ravera stops, retaining cool poise thanks to marne soils. The other element, Ferdinando tells me, is the noble quality of the vineyard's Michet clone (as per Ca d'Morissio). Only approx 150 cases of this compact, minerally precise wine that, though irresistible now, will age till 2016 at least. Excellent with a prime rib-eye steak.
(David Berry Green, BBR Buyer)