Piedmont
Piedmont has been the pre-eminent fine wine province of Italy since Roman times. Located in the north-west of the country, it is influenced culturally and climatically by the surrounding Alps and Ligurian Apennines. Its most important fine wine regions are the Langhe, incorporating Barolo and Barbaresco; Monferrato, comprising the wines of Asti and Gavi; and Novara with its Colline Novaresi and Boca.
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Roberto Sarotto, Piedmont,
Ready, but will keep,
The Bric Sassi vineyard takes its name from the unique calcareous marlstone soils in the Gavi commune and enjoys a privileged south-facing position. The grapes are sourced from vines that are on average 40 years old, producing fewer and more concentrated bunches of grapes. The result is a rich wine, immediately enjoyable with its lively citrus and floral nose and generously ripe palate. The fruit gives way to an uplifting zest and firm steeliness that emerges in the background, adding structure and longevity. Drink now to 2022.
Stefania Masin, Buying Assistant ( June 2019)
Stefania Masin, Buying Assistant ( June 2019)
Cornarea, Piedmont,
Ready, but will keep,
Fresh and sunny, the wine offers notes of white peach and honey, bay leaf and lime flower. Concentrated and lively on the palate, it has lots of ripe fruit, texture and body. With good acidity and a mineral spine (from the magnesium-rich soils), there is a white-stone salinity on the finish. Drink now to 2025.
Matt Smith, Buyer (spring 2019)
Matt Smith, Buyer (spring 2019)
Antonio Vallana e Figlio,
Drink now,
A new addition to the Vallana range, this rosé is rooted in Francis and Marina’s childhood, when they used to steal Nebbiolo grapes from the tanks just after harvest. During these very first hours of fermentation, Nebbiolo expresses the most incredible floral and sweet-fruit characters – as captured by this wine. Aromas of wild strawberry and white flowers lead to a palate laden with forest fruit, with a hint of tangerine and a beautifully fresh, dry finish. Try with cold charcuterie or seared tuna. Drink now to 2020.
Matt Smith, Buyer (spring 2019)
Matt Smith, Buyer (spring 2019)
Cornarea, Piedmont,
Ready, but will keep,
Roero Arneis “Entriard”, or “late-release” in local Piedmont dialect, spends an extended time on its fine lees, and further time in tank before bottling, gaining creamy richness and complexity. The palate is a complex smorgasbord of mint, saffron spice, ginger, salt and candied fruit; the palate rich, full, incredibly textured and complex. Fresh waves of breaking mineral energy, savoury depth and saline refreshment weave into pools of golden, liquid joy. Drink now to 2030.
Davy yw, Wine Buyer
Davy yw, Wine Buyer
Marcarini, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
This is a new wine for Marcarini, using selections from the crus La Serra and Brunate. The effect is to intensify the two senior wines, of which the production is now smaller. Think of this a little like a “second wine”. It sees a lighter maceration, but is aged exactly like the crus, with 24 months in large old botte. The 2015 has a fine, creamy texture and a deep, satisfying finish. Drink 2022-2035.
Antonio Vallana e Figlio,
Ready, but will keep,
Gattinara is the king of the Alto Piemonte region. It is always 100% Nebbiolo, produced only in the town of Gattinara, on the western side of the River Sesia. The grapes are hand-picked in the first half of October and then vinified in large cement tanks, before spending at least two years in large oak barrels. It takes a few years in bottle to fully develop its potential. Dark cherry fruits mingle with balsamic notes and hints of earth and game. This is a brooding wine of fantastic intensity, which also maintains excellent composure through its refreshing acidity and finely honed tannins. A treat with roast game or wild mushroom dishes. Drink now to 2035.
Matt Smith, Buyer (autumn 2019)
Matt Smith, Buyer (autumn 2019)
Marcarini, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
This was bottled last July, like the commune wine above. The stricter fruit selection has reduced volumes from around 20,000 bottles to 8,000 this year, but the sensory uplift is palpable. It offers floral notes and an interesting balsam aroma, with a very good grip on the palate. It’s unsurprisingly tight on the palate now, but the finish is sweetly poised. Drink 2024-2040.
Giovanni Rosso, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
This is a triumphant blend of six crus, beautifully capturing the essence of Serralunga. Like all Davide’s Baroli, this is fermented in concrete before being matured in custom-made French oak botti grandi. Typically firm in structure, it has a dark core of fruit and dried herbs. Being Serralunga, its ability to age is never in question, but the 2015 is perhaps fleshier than other recent vintages, allowing slightly earlier enjoyment. Drink 2022-2035.
Fratelli Alessandria, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
A masterful assembly from across Alessandria’s different vineyards, 85% of the fruit comes from its five Verduno sites, showing all their red fruit, floral notes and finesse. The remaining 15% comes from younger vines in their Monforte cru of Gramolere, providing the savoury notes, spine and structure. This wine is considerably more than the sum of its parts. Drink 2022-2035.
Marcarini, Piedmont,
For laying down,
This was also bottled last July but won’t be shipped until September 2019. Volumes are also much reduced with stricter fruit selection, cutting production from around 24,000 bottles to 9,000. Manuel compares the 2015 to ’10, ’06 and ’04, describing it as a vintage of elegance, being neither too hot nor cold, and effortless ripening. With a fabulous attack and intensity, this is rounder and more voluminous than La Serra. The tannins are enticing; fine, ripe and sensual. Drink 2025-2045.
Giovanni Rosso, Piedmont,
Ready, but will keep,
Named after Davide’s mother, this is no ordinary Langhe Nebbiolo. Giovanni Rosso owns just over a hectare in the legendary Vigna Rionda cru. In 2011 Davide replanted two thirds of this vineyard which had become exhausted, preserving the remaining healthy 70-year-old vines for his iconic Barolo Vigna Rionda. The fruit for this wine comes from those replanted, young vines. The result is a serious wine befitting its vineyard heritage, with a dark core of blueberries, dark cherries and spice, and grippy tannins. Drink 2020-2035.
Matt Smith, Buyer (March 2019)
Davide Rosso makes this Langhe Nebbiolo from the younger vines in Vigna Rionda – one of Barolo, and indeed Piedmont’s, very best vineyards. Vigna Rionda is to Serralunga d’Alba what La Romanée-Conti is to Vosne-Romanée.
This “entry-level” expression offers a “mini” Vigna Rionda Barolo – with pretty aromas of strawberry, cassis and raspberry. Cool and crunchy fruit fills the palate, which is focused and energetic, with lively acidity, silky tannins and a captivating nervosity. Poised, with a saline finish – this is a remarkable expression of a truly special vineyard. Drink now to 2025.
Matt Smith, Buyer (March 2019)
Davide Rosso makes this Langhe Nebbiolo from the younger vines in Vigna Rionda – one of Barolo, and indeed Piedmont’s, very best vineyards. Vigna Rionda is to Serralunga d’Alba what La Romanée-Conti is to Vosne-Romanée.
This “entry-level” expression offers a “mini” Vigna Rionda Barolo – with pretty aromas of strawberry, cassis and raspberry. Cool and crunchy fruit fills the palate, which is focused and energetic, with lively acidity, silky tannins and a captivating nervosity. Poised, with a saline finish – this is a remarkable expression of a truly special vineyard. Drink now to 2025.
Giovanni Rosso, Piedmont,
For laying down,
The Cerretta vines sit between 320 and 450 metres above sea-level on the eastern extremities of the Barolo area. The soils are mixed limestone and clay which give more plump and ripe styles compared to the mineral finesse of Davide’s other Serralunga sites. Three years in French botti grandi have polished these fine tannins which are as smooth as china, while the fruit is bright, fleshy, plummy and expansive. Drink 2020-2040.
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer
Giovanni Rosso, Piedmont,
For laying down,
Terrifyingly steep and totally calcareous soils make up this special vineyard, which perches in front of the Giovanni Rosso winery between 350 to 390 metres’ altitude. A stone’s throw across the road lies Vigna Rionda, the most prized vineyard in Barolo. The nose is brimming with bramble, crushed stone and floral highlights, inviting and electric. The palate is poised, linear and crunchy; saline minerality carries a wash of bright red and black berry fruits, pricked with fine oak spice and savoury charm. Ceramic-like tannins are both silky and chewy. Drink 2020-2038.
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer
Davy Zyw, Wine Buyer
Giovanni Rosso, Piedmont,
For laying down,
Serra, lying a stone’s throw from the Rosso winery, is one of the coldest vineyards in Serralunga, east-facing and terrifyingly steep. The combination of poor, calcareous soil and its easterly exposition gives wines of incredible finesse which are often austere and structural in youth. The 2015 is typical of the vineyard, with a very bright, almost crunchy profile. Sour cherry and balsamic notes give way to savoury, meaty flavours and fine, porcelain tannins. Drink 2024- 2040.
Giovanni Rosso, Piedmont,
For laying down,
Davide owns 2.5 hectares on the southeast-facing side of this cru. The sun only hits this site in the morning, producing wines often lighter in colour than his others. The soils are rich in clay, giving more generosity to this expression of Serralunga. Bright and red-fruited, there’s an appealing lift of spice on the nose, with a rich, fleshy, enveloping palate of red cherry and herbs. It’s very pure and focused, with supple and honed tannins. Drink 2024-2040.
Made for us by Davide Rosso, our Barolo offers classic Nebbiolo character and structure. Scented raspberries and cherries are lifted by peach skin, high-toned florals and savoury spice. Accessible and seductive, the opulent texture is balanced by a racy freshness and a core of chalky minerality. Approachable now, this will also age well. Best decanted — and served alongside a rare steak.
Davy zyw, Wine Buyer
*This offer is available until midnight on 2nd December.