"My answer is: Carema"
2014 Ferrando Carema Etichetta Bianca

Posted by Joe Salamone

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.

Today, Alto Piemonte is one of the most exciting places for wine and there's no doubt that Ferrando's wines were essential for establishing the area's reputation in the U.S.

Credit has to be given to Ferrando's importer, Neal Rosenthal, who has never been shy about his love of Ferrando's wines. He has no shortage of great wines at his fingertips - think of people like Fourrier and Barthod. Yet he's written: "When I am asked which wine would I choose were I to be restricted to a single one, my answer is: Carema."

Ferrando's Carema is Nebbiolo at its purest, its most energetic, and its most aromatic. At high altitudes, in the shadows of Mt. Blanc, on soil that's pretty much eroded rock, the grape assumes a level of finesse that's gorgeous and hauntingly singular.

Today, we turn to Ferrando's 2014 Carema Etichetta Bianca. The 2014 really highlight the piercing finesse, perfume and nimbleness that wine achieves at high altitudes.

Despite its delicacy and lithe frame, Ferrando's Carema ages really beautifully. Even in a leaner vintage, like 2014, Ferrando's wines transforms beautifully in the cellar. A bottle of 1998 that was thrilling a couple of years ago, testifies that sometimes vintages that aren't extraordinary on paper can result in really impressive Carema's from Ferrando.

Every time that we offer the Etichetta Bianca, Ferrando's fan club comes out strong. Let us know how many bottles you'd like and we'll do our best.

To order, reply to offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.

Joe Salamone


Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits