News — Piedmont

Piedmont:
Brovia, Canonica, Cappellano, Giacosa, Mascarello, Rinaldi, Roagna & More

The Sweet Spot:
2017 Roagna Barolo La Pira

Roagna's 2017 Pira is jaw-droppingly good. It boasts an incredible spectrum of layered red fruits, game, earth, tar, herbs, and spice. All of this is backed up by a beautiful finesse and verve. 

"One of the finest recent editions..."
2020 Giacamo Conterno Barbera Cascina Francia

Roberto Conterno's work with Barbera is without peer.

Utterly Captivating: Back-Vintage Conterno
2006 Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia

The Barolo Francia comes from one of Serralunga’s top sites. The commune is renowned for the density, texture, and heft of its wines.

"A Barolo of haunting beauty" -Antonio Galloni
2016 Cappellano Barolo Pie Rupestris

In terms of longevity, Cappellano's Barolos boast a structure that can keep stride with the great distance runners of Piedmont, like Conterno's Monfortino and Giacosa's Red Label.

Cult Mountain Nebbiolo
2017 Ferrando Carema Etichetta Bianca

In short, Carema is an alpine Nebbiolo of breathtaking grace.

"The 2013 simply has it all" -Antonio Galloni
2013 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo

Stand Alone Barbera:
2018 Castello di Verduno Barbera d'Alba Bricco del Cuculo

Even though much of the trip was spent tasting the great 2016 Barolos and Barbarescos, the 2018 Barbera Bricco del Cuculo was the revelation of my tastings. I immediately asked the importer how much I could buy. 

"A wine of total finesse" - Antonio Galloni
2016 Poderi Colla Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose

Barolo at an Accessible Price Point

2016 Serafino Rivella Barbaresco Montestefano: Revisited

Small production, great vintage and a strong following.

Wine of the Year #1: Ian's Pick
2014 Roagna Barbaresco Albesani

Piedmont Holy Ground:
2013 Oddero Barolo Vigna Rionda

Rionda is a well exposed, limestone-rich vineyard that has the potential to deliver some of the greatest Barolos around. 

"Like stepping back into Piedmont's past"
2016 Serafino Rivella Barbaresco Montestefano

The wines of Serafino Rivella possess such honesty and precision that it's hard not to be wowed by them. There's something mysterious and special about the wine. They have plenty of finesse and feel devoid of artifice. 

"Brovia's 2016s are all finesse" Part Two
2016 Brovia Barolo Garblèt Sué

The 2016 vintage represents a high point for this great traditionalist. Just like the 2016 normale, the 2016 Garblèt Sué is one of the best examples of the wine that we've tasted. 

"Brovia's 2016s are all finesse"
2016 Brovia Barolo

Within the top ranks of Barolo, it's difficult to compete with Brovia in terms of value.

No place in their formidable lineup dramatizes this as much as their Barolo normale. In top vintages, this bottling over-delivers in an astonishing way. 

Barbaresco Crown-Jewel:
2016 Castello di Verduno Barbaresco Rabajà

Rabajà is one of Barbaresco's crown jewels.

It is a dazzling wine. The site produces wines of impressive power, but that's only part of the story. Rabajà is above all about completeness and elegance.

Piedmont Elite, Rosé Edition:
2019 Nervi-Conterno Il Rosato

Roberto Conterno is simply a force of nature and one of the most talented people working in wine today.

As the summer heat rages here, I'm happy to offer Conterno's incredibly refreshing and expertly crafted rosé.

"My answer is: Carema" Part II:
2016 Ferrando Carema Etichetta Nera

Earlier this week, we offered Ferrando's 2016 Etichetta Bianca. Today, we return with the much more limited Etichetta Nera.

Compared to Etichetta Bianca, Etichetta Nera is richer, denser, more masculine, and intense. It’s a powerhouse wine, but with breathtaking finesse.

Bartolo Mascarello:
From Freisa to Barolo in Magnum

The Mascarello estate makes some of the most soulful and compelling wines anywhere.

Today, we're happy to pay tribute to Mascarello with an offer that covers three vintages of their Barolo, including 2010 and 2013, and their Freisa, Dolcetto, and Barbera. 

"My answer is: Carema"
2016 Ferrando Carema Etichetta Bianca

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.

Piedmont Rarity:
2018 Giuseppe Rinaldi Langhe Nebbiolo

The wine world has become obsessed with Rinaldi's soulful, finessed, and old school style.

It's become nearly impossible to find the wines in quantity. Today, I'm happy to offer the 2018 Langhe Nebbiolo, one of the hardest wines in the lineup to find.

"This is such a captivating wine" - 2016 Nervi-Conterno Gattinara

Nervi-Conterno simply hit the bullseye with their 2016 Gattinara.

There's no doubt that 2016 is an important vintage in Piedmont. The wines are gorgeous. 

"An extraordinary set of wines"
- 2014 Roagna Barbaresco Vecchie Viti Magnums:
Asili VV, Paje VV, & Montefico VV

For years now, Roagna has been the benchmark producer in Barbaresco and one of the most exciting estates in all of Piedmont. This trio of Roagna's Vecchie Viti magnums are old vine selections and represent some of the greatest that Piedmont has to offer. I'm very happy to offer these magnums, the only ones available in the country. 

"All about elusive, ethereal beauty" - 2014 Roagna Barbaresco Pajè VV

Roagna's 2014 Barbaresco Paje VV may very well represent the pinnacle of their stunning 2014 collection. It's impossible not to dwell on Galloni's quote above. It gets to the core of things. The Pajè VV is haunting. I'm very happy to have a second opportunity to offer this wine.