2011 Italy
Wine vintage Report for the North & Central Italy: unseasonably early, warm and dry spring, followed by a mild, dry summer and hot August, peaking at 40 degrees during the last couple of weeks. Some rain during the first week of September, remaining warm andwindy until the early harvest, one that favoured early ripening varieties. Sun burn was a risk for those who de-leafed.
Vintage Report for the the South of Italy - the vintage was marked by a dry, hot summer followed by outbreaks of rain during September, paving the way for a small harvest and very promising, fruity wines.
Reports from Barolo:
Davide Rosso reported an early harvest (for Nebbiolo). He added that the warmest S/SW facing sites were most at risk from fruit overripeness; otherwise the fruit looked clean and ripe. Timing of the green harvest was important; too early/zealously risks overly inflated fruit. Meanwhile the Barbera performed well; the Dolcetto however seemed to suffer from the hot days and fresh nights.
The 2011 wine vintage for Barolo started promisingly with another deep winter but then, as with most of Europe, March/April/May was unseasonally dry and warm; echoes of the 2007 vintage as the season leapt forward by at least a couple of weeks. Since then it's been a strange summer with hot weeks alternating with cooler fresh days.
There was lots of 'afa' (humidity), important for photosynthesis under hot conditions, but little disease pressure to speak of; storms threatened the worst but never materialised, leaving only a fresh, windy wake. August was consistently hot (30 - 35 degree days) with fresh nights - the opposite of 2010. Yields were normal, nowadays maintained at a regular level through green havest.
David Berry Green, Italy Buyer
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£290.00
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£295.00
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£300.00
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£497.88
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£575.00
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£1,280.76
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Gaja,
For laying down,
Round, supple and succulent, the 2011 Costa Russi is laced with dark red cherry, plum, mocha, cloves and new leather. The classic Costa Russi personality comes through in a soft, gracious wine with tons of near and medium-term appeal. The Costa Russi captures an attractive middle ground between the ripe, pliant style of the year and the medium bodied grace of Nebbiolo. I expect the 2011 will offer a long and broad drinking window of pure pleasure. Although Costa Russi is often the most precocious of Gaja's single-vineyard wines, it is the last site to be picked.
Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2014
Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2014
Case price (Magnum 1 x 150cl)
Magnum 1 x 150cl 3cs
£415.00
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Giovanni Rosso, Piedmont,
Ready, but will keep,
The 2010 vintage was perhaps more famous, yet young Davide Rosso reckons he made better wines in 2011. His Serralunga d'Alba is a blend of five or six vineyards dotted along the calcareous ridge, that together articulate the intrinsic character and quality of the village's Baroli. But then Davide is one of them, his family owning vines there and formerly selling off fruit for a century until he stepped up after leaving Alba’s Umberto 1 Oenology School to bottle the fruit, rather than give it away. A brilliant cranberry-red colour, this 2011 version is focused, despite the August heat, with a cool head of cold tea and strawberry, redcurrant and rose aromas. It's refined, delightfully poised, with great Ferrari-like ‘lines’. Fabulous transparency, a glinting cassis-note, racy acidity, exquisite balance and this has a sense of strutting about it. Difficult not to enjoy now, this will improve in bottle for a decade or so.
Since first bottling his family’s Serralunga d’Alba fruit in the late 1990s, Davide has rightly gained a reputation as one of the region’s finest (Nebbiolo) winemakers. He may not have the name or history of some of his famous neighbours but perhaps as a result he’s further incited to prove himself. That he is surely doing with a range of peerless Serralunga Baroli, traditionally and expertly made using stainless steel, cement and French oak botti. Fortune came his and his mother Ester’s way in 2011, as they inherited a hectare of Vigna Rionda — one of Serralunga’s top vineyards — completing the range perfectly
Since first bottling his family’s Serralunga d’Alba fruit in the late 1990s, Davide has rightly gained a reputation as one of the region’s finest (Nebbiolo) winemakers. He may not have the name or history of some of his famous neighbours but perhaps as a result he’s further incited to prove himself. That he is surely doing with a range of peerless Serralunga Baroli, traditionally and expertly made using stainless steel, cement and French oak botti. Fortune came his and his mother Ester’s way in 2011, as they inherited a hectare of Vigna Rionda — one of Serralunga’s top vineyards — completing the range perfectly
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Giuseppe Mascarello e Figli,
Ready, but will improve,
Mascarello's 2011 Barolo Monprivato is a graceful, voluminous wine. Laced with notes of red cherry, raspberry, mint, white pepper and orange peel, all wrapped in polished tannins. The 2011 is an excellent choice to drink while some of the more ageworthy recent vintages sleep in the cellar. It will offer a long and wide drinking window of pure pleasure over the next years to 2025.
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£535.00
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£540.00
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£545.00
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Costanti,
Ready, but will improve,
Delightful red and black Sangiovese fruit, good ripeness and depth on the nose. More of the same with the addition of crisp acidity and ripe tannins on the palate, it’s all about the Sangiovese grosso fruit here, with notes of cherry, grilled meats and red currants. Good length and a harmonious finish, another great Brunello from Costanti, this will be at its best from its tenth birthday, but could be drunk from 2017.
Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager
Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager
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Cerbaiona, Tuscany,
Ready, but will improve,
Intense garnet-rose, the nose sings of the pine needles that litter the ground at Cerbaiona, along with more classic redcurrant and blackcurrant notes. Placid, juicy, the palate conjures up redcurrant skins, sapidity, masses of flesh, forest fruit and cool, red-cherry finish. Impeccable, as ever; Diego and Nora continue to maintain the highest standards.
Nora Tadros Molinari is at the helm of this much-lauded Montalcino property, while her husband Diego recovers from a bout of poor health. More fortunate are the grapes that grow on their three hectares of alberese soils at perfect altitude on the northeastern shoulder of the Montalcino zone. The Molinaris have been there since 1977, gradually building up the reputation of their tiny estate through traditional practices. It’s now regarded as one of the very best.
Nora Tadros Molinari is at the helm of this much-lauded Montalcino property, while her husband Diego recovers from a bout of poor health. More fortunate are the grapes that grow on their three hectares of alberese soils at perfect altitude on the northeastern shoulder of the Montalcino zone. The Molinaris have been there since 1977, gradually building up the reputation of their tiny estate through traditional practices. It’s now regarded as one of the very best.
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Scopetone, Tuscany,
Ready, but will keep,
Loredana and Antonio read the sunny 2011 vintage perfectly, choosing not to deleaf, so protecting against the rays, and macerating the skins for 15 days (versus 24 for 2009). The result is a luminous, sunset-blush, strawberry-red wine; one whose nose – of finely-tuned, warm, precise, kirsch, cassis and strawberry – one could dive into. Aged for nearly three years in third-fill Austrian oak barrels, the trim palate rolls gorgeously on, a thread of succulent cassis, soft but refined; a flow of pure delight.
This jewel of a Montalcino estate was first planted in 1978 by Federigo Abbarchi and Angela Corioni on marne and iron-rich, red, silt soils at 450 metres above sea-level on the north-western corner of Montalcino; bottling began in 1982 under the eye of Giulio Gambelli. Skip to 2009, and locals Loredana Tanganelli, husband Antonio and daughter Giada started to rent the 1.5-hectare gem from Angela Corioni, adding another 1.5 hectares of their own land. These smooth wines are sensitively and traditionally made using stainless steel and 33-hectolitre Pauscha Austrian oak botti.
This jewel of a Montalcino estate was first planted in 1978 by Federigo Abbarchi and Angela Corioni on marne and iron-rich, red, silt soils at 450 metres above sea-level on the north-western corner of Montalcino; bottling began in 1982 under the eye of Giulio Gambelli. Skip to 2009, and locals Loredana Tanganelli, husband Antonio and daughter Giada started to rent the 1.5-hectare gem from Angela Corioni, adding another 1.5 hectares of their own land. These smooth wines are sensitively and traditionally made using stainless steel and 33-hectolitre Pauscha Austrian oak botti.
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£234.00
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Marcarini, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
Emphatic, broad, darker, this has hints of liquorice, tamarind, clove and rose; even of animal. It brims with nuance, while the palate – for now – is dominated by kirsch cherry, a compôte of distilled stone-fruit, of mentholated, dried fruits. This needs time.
Manuel assumes charge of the defiantly traditional, 12-hectare Marcarini estate, along with his three children. Central to this historic, 19th-century cantina, based in central La Morra, with sweeping views over their vineyards below, are the two Barolo vineyards – La Serra and Brunate, of which they own fine plots.
Manuel assumes charge of the defiantly traditional, 12-hectare Marcarini estate, along with his three children. Central to this historic, 19th-century cantina, based in central La Morra, with sweeping views over their vineyards below, are the two Barolo vineyards – La Serra and Brunate, of which they own fine plots.
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Trediberri, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
Thanks to the likes of Trediberri and Roberto Voerzio, Rocche dell'Annunziata is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the Langhe's unofficial Grand Cru vineyards. Located in the sweet spot of La Morra, the vineyard is in a natural amphitheatre that has perfect aspect, altitude and soil composition of sand, clay and silt – similar indeed to that of Cannubi. Only a tiny quantity is made by the Oberto family – 1,080 bottles – which is traditionally fermented for 27 days and aged in smaller oak due to the quantity available. Backed by old vines, this is on another planet compared to their Barolo: emphatic with rosehip, rich with red cherry-stone sapidity, of mocha and tea, it's self-assured with a calm presence. One acknowledges the richer texture, the fuller weight, the (Grand Cru) kirsch quality to the loganberry-fruit. It's sumptuous and supple thanks to the small amount of oak; hedonistic yet cool.
Trediberri’s ‘tre’ are father and son, Federico and Nicola Oberto, along with their associate and friend Vladimiro Rambaldi. Their story began only in 2008 with the purchase of five hectares of vines in the hamlet of Berri, close to La Morra, which – together with close to two hectares of the mighty Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard in front of their cantina – convinced Nicola to give up finance and turn to the trowel.
Trediberri’s ‘tre’ are father and son, Federico and Nicola Oberto, along with their associate and friend Vladimiro Rambaldi. Their story began only in 2008 with the purchase of five hectares of vines in the hamlet of Berri, close to La Morra, which – together with close to two hectares of the mighty Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard in front of their cantina – convinced Nicola to give up finance and turn to the trowel.
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£245.00
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Trediberri, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
Drawn from their young Berri vineyard in the village of La Morra overlooking the Tanaro river, this traditional Barolo is vinified for 18 days on the skins before ageing in 25-hectolitre botti. It has an engagingly-bright, pale-red colour, a nose that sings (with a bit of air) of rosehip, bergamot and even of strawberry ripple. Their La Morra roots show through with the earthy red fruit, mixed spice, hints of orange peel, of tea-leaf and quinine. It's eager to please, openhearted and sincere; alive with charmingly-fleshy strawberry-fruit. This is on the lighter side due to the younger vines, but a joy to behold.
Trediberri’s ‘tre’ are father and son, Federico and Nicola Oberto, along with their associate and friend Vladimiro Rambaldi. Their story began only in 2008 with the purchase of five hectares of vines in the hamlet of Berri, close to La Morra, which – together with close to two hectares of the mighty Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard in front of their cantina – convinced Nicola to give up finance and turn to the trowel.
Trediberri’s ‘tre’ are father and son, Federico and Nicola Oberto, along with their associate and friend Vladimiro Rambaldi. Their story began only in 2008 with the purchase of five hectares of vines in the hamlet of Berri, close to La Morra, which – together with close to two hectares of the mighty Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard in front of their cantina – convinced Nicola to give up finance and turn to the trowel.
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Roberto Voerzio,
Ready, but will improve,
This 6 bottle case contains wines from the 2011 vintage
1x 75cl Roberto Voerzio 1x Brunate
Voerzio's 2011 Barolo is a real head-turner. Weightless and gracious on the palate, yet blessed with tons of pure explosive energy, the Brunate captivates all the senses with its dazzling intensity and precision. The tannins are formidable, yet there is so much purity in the fruit they are barely evident at all. The Brunate has been stellar on both occassions I tasted it prior to bottling. Readers should put the Brunate on their short lists for 2011, as this looks to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink 2019-2032
94-96/100 Antonio Galloni
2x 75cl Roberto Voerzio Barolo La Serra
In 2011, the Barolo Le Serra benefits from its slightly higher elevation and cooler micro-climate, both of which give the wine an added element of freshness that is needed. Dark red stone fruits, flowers, spices and leather are all supported by the characteristic firm La Serra tannins, but the 2011 has a little more mid-palate depth and overall volume that serves to balance some of the angular contours that can be present. A gorgeous and complete wine, the La Serra is also an overachiever in 2011. Drink 2017-2030
95/100 Antonio Galloni
3x 75cl Roberto Barolo Voerzio Annunziata
Another exotic, beguiling beauty, the 2011 Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata captivates all the senses with its stunning bouquet, silky fruit and racy, voluptuous personality, all signatures of this great La Morra site. As always, the Rocche is a feminine, gracious wine that showcases the more finessed site of Nebbiolo. The Rocche also drinks well pretty much upon release, which I expect will be the case here as well. Drink 2016-2031
95/100 Antonio Galloni
1x 75cl Roberto Voerzio 1x Brunate
Voerzio's 2011 Barolo is a real head-turner. Weightless and gracious on the palate, yet blessed with tons of pure explosive energy, the Brunate captivates all the senses with its dazzling intensity and precision. The tannins are formidable, yet there is so much purity in the fruit they are barely evident at all. The Brunate has been stellar on both occassions I tasted it prior to bottling. Readers should put the Brunate on their short lists for 2011, as this looks to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink 2019-2032
94-96/100 Antonio Galloni
2x 75cl Roberto Voerzio Barolo La Serra
In 2011, the Barolo Le Serra benefits from its slightly higher elevation and cooler micro-climate, both of which give the wine an added element of freshness that is needed. Dark red stone fruits, flowers, spices and leather are all supported by the characteristic firm La Serra tannins, but the 2011 has a little more mid-palate depth and overall volume that serves to balance some of the angular contours that can be present. A gorgeous and complete wine, the La Serra is also an overachiever in 2011. Drink 2017-2030
95/100 Antonio Galloni
3x 75cl Roberto Barolo Voerzio Annunziata
Another exotic, beguiling beauty, the 2011 Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata captivates all the senses with its stunning bouquet, silky fruit and racy, voluptuous personality, all signatures of this great La Morra site. As always, the Rocche is a feminine, gracious wine that showcases the more finessed site of Nebbiolo. The Rocche also drinks well pretty much upon release, which I expect will be the case here as well. Drink 2016-2031
95/100 Antonio Galloni
Assrt x 6 1 x 450cl 1cs
£800.00
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Cascina Mario Fontana, Piedmont,
Ready, but will keep,
It was his grandfather Saverio who reminded Mario of the merits of producing Barolo with one's own Nebbiolo fruit, rather than buying from those around. Mario took this lesson to heart, building on Saverio's legacy. He's gone a step further in 2011, introducing a battery of cement tanks in which to marry the wine – a blend of fruit from Castiglione Falletto and La Morra – prior to bottling. This has definitely given the 2011 Barolo a more relaxed, harmonious feel: dark strawberry-garnet, the nose charms with joyful summer fruit, of raspberry and strawberry, along with a hint of quinine and orange peel. It's very relaxed and civil, like Mario, yet with a more serious kernel of intensity, a tea-leaf and bergamot fragrance, a sense of purpose, of profoundness, sapid and long.
Sixth-generation Barolo producer Mario Fontana set out on his own in 1995, and since then has been refining his Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo wines with each year that passes. His Barolo is arguably the most Burgundian of our range, with delicacy and gentleness that comes from reasonable yields, traditional vinification, maturation in large Slavonian oak for 24 months and having one’s feet on the ground. He has just planted another hectare in the village of Sinio, taking the total to five hectares (the others being in Castiglione Falletto and La Morra, the latter belonging to his wife Luisa).
Sixth-generation Barolo producer Mario Fontana set out on his own in 1995, and since then has been refining his Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo wines with each year that passes. His Barolo is arguably the most Burgundian of our range, with delicacy and gentleness that comes from reasonable yields, traditional vinification, maturation in large Slavonian oak for 24 months and having one’s feet on the ground. He has just planted another hectare in the village of Sinio, taking the total to five hectares (the others being in Castiglione Falletto and La Morra, the latter belonging to his wife Luisa).
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Ornellaia,
Ready, but will keep,
We are delighted to be able to offer Le Serre Nuove, a true ‘Second vin’ of Ornellaia. First introduced with the 1997 vintage, 2011 is perhaps their finest vintage to date.
Since its inception in 1981 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia very quickly gained international recognition and established itself as a world-class producer. Located in the medieval village of Bolgheri, made famous by the presence of the pioneering estate Tenuta San Guido, this coastal area of Tuscany had already established itself as a region whose finest vineyards were able to produce wine of the highest calibre.
It is, no doubt, a stunning landscape with towering cypress trees lining ancient Roman roads however in wine terms its proximity to the sea is key. Not only are the finest vineyards spared the highest temperatures found further inland due to cooling sea breezes, grapes ripen earlier here, often before the arrival of autumn rains, bringing a degree of consistency across vintages that should not be overlooked.
Today the wines of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia may rival those of Tenuta San Guido, notably Sassicaia, however many feel that its wines offer a more ‘international’ expression of the terroir of Bolgheri. As you would expect, the wine is produced primarily from the fruit of the estate’s younger vineyards, and aims to combine the pedigree of Ornellaia itself, with the intensity of outstanding terroir balanced by freshness and approachability.
Since its inception in 1981 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia very quickly gained international recognition and established itself as a world-class producer. Located in the medieval village of Bolgheri, made famous by the presence of the pioneering estate Tenuta San Guido, this coastal area of Tuscany had already established itself as a region whose finest vineyards were able to produce wine of the highest calibre.
It is, no doubt, a stunning landscape with towering cypress trees lining ancient Roman roads however in wine terms its proximity to the sea is key. Not only are the finest vineyards spared the highest temperatures found further inland due to cooling sea breezes, grapes ripen earlier here, often before the arrival of autumn rains, bringing a degree of consistency across vintages that should not be overlooked.
Today the wines of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia may rival those of Tenuta San Guido, notably Sassicaia, however many feel that its wines offer a more ‘international’ expression of the terroir of Bolgheri. As you would expect, the wine is produced primarily from the fruit of the estate’s younger vineyards, and aims to combine the pedigree of Ornellaia itself, with the intensity of outstanding terroir balanced by freshness and approachability.
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£228.00
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Roagna, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
Deeper in colour than the lighter, more accessible Pajé, the Vecchie Viti is a wine from 70-plus-year-old vines which you feel you could dive into. It’s got wonderful pace as well as richer fruit; the generosity of Nebbiolo fruit is balanced by salty minerality and underpinned by fabulous terroir. Wow. This needs time to unfurl.
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Roagna, Piedmont,
For laying down,
Roagna’s tiny plot was acquired in 1971, with Luca releasing it properly from 2004. It’s one of Barbaresco’s most celebrated expressions, from calcareous, sand and silty soils on a well-ventilated hillock, south-west facing, not far from the Tanaro river. Pale, bright and red-rose in colour, the nose thrills with a mass of tiny red berries, raspberry ripple, wild strawberry and white stone notes. It’s juicy, possessing natural balance, backed by limestone tannins, driven by great energy and pace. This needs a few years to reveal all, but is such an exciting prospect.
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Roagna, Piedmont,
For laying down,
Despite being from the same Barbaresco village as Roagna’s Asili, the Montefico could not be more different. Where Asili brims with wild strawberries and dainty red fruit, Montefico is squarer and more masculine, with a darker colour and bigger muscles. It has great presence on the nose, which is velvety and mulberry in character. From an exquisite, old-vine triangle, mid-slope and full-south facing, Montefico is built on white tufo rock, giving tannic power and plenty of sweet fruit. A sleeping giant.
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£940.00
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£1,025.00
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£1,095.00
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£1,095.00
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Roagna, Piedmont,
Ready, but will improve,
Luca Roagna represents the latest generation to work at this historical wine estate, alongside his genial father Alfredo, whose 15 hectares of vines cover both Barabresco and Barolo. The family's roots, however, lie in Barbaresco, with Luca's grandfather buying the Paje vineyard in the 1950s. Production is small; the 10,000-case potential reduced to an average 6,000-case reality. In a word: finezza.
What a pretty wine: a striking violet-rose colour, so bright and transparent – so Barbaresco. The nose swoons with kirsch, raspberry and violet lift and zing. The full yet delicate palate is at once taut and alive. Such fluidity, such clarity; this is full of joy and raspberry essence. No surprise, perhaps, given the wonderful Pajé vineyard, with its 45-year-old vines, perfectly sheltered, on white Barbaresco soils.
What a pretty wine: a striking violet-rose colour, so bright and transparent – so Barbaresco. The nose swoons with kirsch, raspberry and violet lift and zing. The full yet delicate palate is at once taut and alive. Such fluidity, such clarity; this is full of joy and raspberry essence. No surprise, perhaps, given the wonderful Pajé vineyard, with its 45-year-old vines, perfectly sheltered, on white Barbaresco soils.
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Roagna, Piedmont,
For laying down,
More in-focus, rounder and lusher than the fresher Pira, here the old-vine version owes its generosity and suppleness to vines higher up the east-south-east-facing Pira slope, on whiter, calcareous soils which catch the best of the morning light. It’s altogether a more sensual experience; rich with juicy, warm strawberry-patch fruit. There’s a mass of detail here; it’s complete but needs time to unwind.
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£220.00
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Antinori,
Ready, but will improve,
Truly an iconic wine, Tignanello’s origins lie in a single vineyard Chianti Classico Riserva ‘Vigneto Tignanello‘ made for the 1970 vintage. Even at this point it broke new ground by being the first Sangiovese aged in small oak barrels, and the die was cast from the 1971 vintage, when it became a Vino da Tavola della Toscana and was named Tignanello after the vineyard from where the fruit originates. Over the following eleven years Tignanello gradually evolved into the wine we recognise today – a wine that no longer follows the rules laid down by Chianti Classico Disciplinare.andnbsp; A blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc that is produced only in the finest vintages.
Over the recent years, the growing excitement and appetite for Italy’s top wines and in particular the Super Tuscan wines has become insatiable.
The excitement behind the renaissance of the Super Tuscan wines is paraphrased brilliantly by Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate – “The buzz is back. Italy’s most iconic wine estate – the ground zero for all fine wine made in the country today – has entered an exciting new chapter with a renewed sense of purpose. This change was not sparked by any single event, rather a confluence of events starting with a fortuitous string of great vintages.” With a string of very good vintages such as 2008, 2009, 2010 and now 2011, Tignanello is on fine form.
Over the recent years, the growing excitement and appetite for Italy’s top wines and in particular the Super Tuscan wines has become insatiable.
The excitement behind the renaissance of the Super Tuscan wines is paraphrased brilliantly by Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate – “The buzz is back. Italy’s most iconic wine estate – the ground zero for all fine wine made in the country today – has entered an exciting new chapter with a renewed sense of purpose. This change was not sparked by any single event, rather a confluence of events starting with a fortuitous string of great vintages.” With a string of very good vintages such as 2008, 2009, 2010 and now 2011, Tignanello is on fine form.
Still very young and quite closed, this has cool, black fruit from the Cabernet dominating on the nose at present. The palate is supple and harmonious with plenty of ripe red fruit, crisp acidity and ripe tannins. This looks to be set to be another superb Tignanello.
Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£375.00
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Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£375.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 4cs
£380.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£395.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 4cs
£400.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£450.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£470.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£508.00
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£150.00
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£175.00
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Given the state of the vineyard, planted not just with Nebbiolo but also Dolcetto & Barbera, Davide has already replanted three-quarters with Nebbiolo; the remainder being prime old Nebbiolo vines, priceless plant material but producing only circa 2000 bts per year until the new vines come of age (in 2020?). 2011 is therefore Davide’s first vintage making Vigna Rionda, vinified in static stainless-steel, cement & in single 16hl slavonian oak large botte. Full bodied yet at the same time so agile, profound, mystical even. Think about drinking from 2021 at the earliest.
David Berry Green, BBR Italian Buyer