When Produttori di Carema's Riserva hits its mark, the wine represents some of the best value to be had in Piedmont.
Carema is about an hour's drive from Barolo and amounts to its alpine cousin. It's one of the most riveting and most versatile wines around.
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There's a beautiful, radiant delicacy, but don't let its lacy gracefulness fool you. Caremas possess impressive aging potential. Whereas Barolos and Barbaresco rely on their tannins to age, these wines age on their acid structures and overall balance and harmony. The silky briskness of these wines also allows them to drink well young.
We tasted Produttori di Carema's 2018 Riserva and were seriously impressed. The aromatics pop in the 2018 with notes of spice, game, dried rose petals, cherry, herbs, leather, and tobacco. It has a gorgeous energy with an appealingly rustic edge.
Because of its stunningly singular expression of Nebbiolo, the appellation has achieved a renown that belies its tiny size. Carema sits in the shadow of Mt. Blanc and totals a mere 18ha. The growers of Carema tend to have very small holdings, often 0.5ha or even less. This is where the quality-oriented co-op Produttori di Carema comes in. They handle the vinification and aging, which would be difficult for small growers. The Carema Riserva represents a painstaking selection of the very best botti, the large casks traditional to the region.
It's rare that we find wines that deliver so much at this price point. For us, it's a cause for celebration. We taste hundreds of wines a year and only a tiny fraction make the cut.
To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Joe Salamone
Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits
 Special 4-pack pricing for a limited time. Use Code: Carema-18