Friday Sips
Nebbiolo New Year Friday Sips
Today Jan. 8 from 1:30 - 6:30
Today Jan. 8 from 1:30 - 6:30
Drop by today to sample 4 Nebbiolo value wines that are very accessible and just happen to be made by apex Barolo & Barbaresco producers..
2013 MAURO MOLINO
NEBBIOLO LANGHE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
NEBBIOLO LANGHE
$17.99 BTL./$215.88 CASE
Nebbiolo is Italy’s King of Grapes and it is at its pinnacle in the region of Piedmont. Barolo and Barbaresco are the treasures of the region but most of the makers produce a version of Nebbiolo meant for earlier consumption while waiting for the grand wines to come to fruition.
Based in La Morra, Mauro Molino has been making top-drawer Barolo wines from this village since the 1982 vintage. The characteristics of La Morra Nebbiolo and Barolo are fragrance and beauty and this wine follows suit beautifully. Drawn from younger Barolo vines in this area the 2013 shows off all traits of this classic, temperate vintage that to me is rather reminiscent of 2004. In the glass, one is introduced to the enticing red explosion of raspberries, plum and cherries, with elegant spicy notes of walnut, tobacco, and chocolate licorice. The elegant scents continue and persist, wrapping the palate with classic ripe tannins integrated to perfection. This baby Barolo is refined and enjoyable now but will endure nicely for the next 3-4 years.
Based in La Morra, Mauro Molino has been making top-drawer Barolo wines from this village since the 1982 vintage. The characteristics of La Morra Nebbiolo and Barolo are fragrance and beauty and this wine follows suit beautifully. Drawn from younger Barolo vines in this area the 2013 shows off all traits of this classic, temperate vintage that to me is rather reminiscent of 2004. In the glass, one is introduced to the enticing red explosion of raspberries, plum and cherries, with elegant spicy notes of walnut, tobacco, and chocolate licorice. The elegant scents continue and persist, wrapping the palate with classic ripe tannins integrated to perfection. This baby Barolo is refined and enjoyable now but will endure nicely for the next 3-4 years.
2013 RENATO RATTI
NEBBIOLO 'OCHETTI'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
NEBBIOLO 'OCHETTI'
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
Not only is Pietro Ratti debonair and a gentle Barolo soul, he is one of the best storytellers in all of Piedmont with a great sense of humor. His wines seemingly are the same way. Pietro's Nebbiolo is from a single vineyard in the Roero region of Piedmont situated at an altitude of 820 feet. The soils here are sandy which make for quite a handsome Nebbiolo that is quite different from those of the Langhe region around Alba.
Persistently aromatic scents of strawberry licorice, rose, tar and spice follow through to a finely detailed texture that is essence of what Nebbiolo is and should be. Classy and thought provoking, elegant and full all at once, this classy red can be consumed over the next 4-6 years. Have it with braised lamb or beef in a red wine (preferably Nebbiolo) sauce.
Persistently aromatic scents of strawberry licorice, rose, tar and spice follow through to a finely detailed texture that is essence of what Nebbiolo is and should be. Classy and thought provoking, elegant and full all at once, this classy red can be consumed over the next 4-6 years. Have it with braised lamb or beef in a red wine (preferably Nebbiolo) sauce.
2013 SOTTIMANO
NEBBIOLO LANGHE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
NEBBIOLO LANGHE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Andrea Sottimano has taken this well-established, superb Barberesco property to very lofty heights since coming to work with his papa Rino over a decade ago. Four single Cru Barbaresco are produced, all from vineyards in the township of Neive, one of the three villages that qualify as Barbaresco. This particular offering is from a single vineyard in Neive called Basarin and is located right at the border of Treiso. Quite honestly, this wine can give many mid-range Barbaresco wines a huge scare; it is that damn good! The elevation and exposure of this historic vineyard site results in powerful yet sultry-smooth wines. As a result of the vines being young (15 years) it is declassified as Nebbiolo but in the future, given the site’s pedigree and potential, expect a fifth Cru in the already vaunted Sottimano lineup.
The stunning aromatics here are forthright and velvety with perfumed violets, camphor, blackberry and minerality joining the elixir-like herbs and spices. In the mouth the flavors are full and rich with very contemplative. There is a level of depth and structure that is quite uncommon for Nebbiolo in this price point, add to that impeccable balance and a transparent core of fruit this wine will gain complexity drink beautifully for another 6-8 years.
The stunning aromatics here are forthright and velvety with perfumed violets, camphor, blackberry and minerality joining the elixir-like herbs and spices. In the mouth the flavors are full and rich with very contemplative. There is a level of depth and structure that is quite uncommon for Nebbiolo in this price point, add to that impeccable balance and a transparent core of fruit this wine will gain complexity drink beautifully for another 6-8 years.
2013 GIUSEPPE CORTESE
NEBBIOLO LANGHE
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
NEBBIOLO LANGHE
$21.99 BTL./$263.88 CASE
They say that dogs can resemble their owners. Sometimes people can equate themselves with dogs. Around here, Bryan is probably the equivalent of a St. Bernard with Rabies with a curmudgeonly charm all while having the urge to chase cars. While there are many good Nebbiolo wines, there some that resemble dogs with all the fine qualities of a Mississippi Leg-Hound who likes to pee on fires and should be avoided at all costs. Now in order to be fair and balanced (or as Bryan can be, fairly unbalanced) we have to let you know that there are an immense amount fine expressions of the grape, and Giuseppe Cortese's is one of the dandiest and doesn't cost a fortune. If this wine were a dog it would be a strong willed, slightly skittish, overly spoiled, enticingly manipulative Bichon pup who has all of the virtues of an unmade bed.
The Cortese family produce wines that are some of the most underrated and finest in all of Barbaresco. Drawing mostly from the Grand Cru Rabaja vineyard and augmented with a parcel in the Trifolera vineyard, both of which are located in Barbaresco village, this wine is serious business. Very Barbaresco in stature, this wine captures the sophisticated princess-like features that prevail throughout the region and. Elusive, uptown and ravishing with authentic tones of chocolate licorice, mushroom cap, roses and red berry. Teeming with sensuality from start to finish this wine shows impressively strong varietal character and underlying deceptive grip. Very accessible now and will age nicely through 2022.
The Cortese family produce wines that are some of the most underrated and finest in all of Barbaresco. Drawing mostly from the Grand Cru Rabaja vineyard and augmented with a parcel in the Trifolera vineyard, both of which are located in Barbaresco village, this wine is serious business. Very Barbaresco in stature, this wine captures the sophisticated princess-like features that prevail throughout the region and. Elusive, uptown and ravishing with authentic tones of chocolate licorice, mushroom cap, roses and red berry. Teeming with sensuality from start to finish this wine shows impressively strong varietal character and underlying deceptive grip. Very accessible now and will age nicely through 2022.
