11/2/18 Cellar Door Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
Olim Bauda’s Piedmont Wines
Special Guest, Olim Bauda’s Gianni Bertolino
Today Nov. 2 from 1:30 - 6:00 (note earlier finish time)
Olim Bauda’s Piedmont Wines
Special Guest, Olim Bauda’s Gianni Bertolino
Today Nov. 2 from 1:30 - 6:00 (note earlier finish time)
A last minute surprise! We are receiving a return visit from Barbera/Nebbiolo/Gavi/Moscato specialist Gianni Bertolino from Olim Bauda who will be in the holuse pouring and discussing five of his family’s fabulous wines from Italy’s Piedmont region. Whenever Gianni visits we always have a great time and we think you will as well. (I’ll have the wines open at 1:30, Gianni arrives at 3:30)
2015 OLIM BAUDA BARBERA D'ASTI
'LE ROCCHETTE'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
'LE ROCCHETTE'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
Introduced to Tenuta Olim Bauda's wines a few years ago, Bryan instantly loved them and visited the estate back in 2010. Safe to say meeting with brothers Dino & Gianni Bertolini and experiencing the family's wines it was a most educational way to learn more about the Asti region. The estate itself is located in Incisa Scapaccino with the vines for this award-winning Barbera coming from the village of Nizza Monferrato. These areas make up the spiritual heart of the Asti region of Piedmont.From the eponymous-named vineyard in Isole d'Asti whose vines were planted in 1950; instantaneously one can discover that this wine steps it up a level or six!
Vinous driving nose of hearty Italian plum, mineral, gentle kisses of smoke and underlying cherry pit character. Big-boned with its fruit and velvety texture yet full of elegance and suaveness. A luminous presence of vividness follows through to a drawn-out lavish finish that displays hints of milk chocolate, coffee and plenty of fullness while maintaining poise and freshness. Very lingering, this wine is a steal for 20 bucks.
Vinous driving nose of hearty Italian plum, mineral, gentle kisses of smoke and underlying cherry pit character. Big-boned with its fruit and velvety texture yet full of elegance and suaveness. A luminous presence of vividness follows through to a drawn-out lavish finish that displays hints of milk chocolate, coffee and plenty of fullness while maintaining poise and freshness. Very lingering, this wine is a steal for 20 bucks.
2014 OLIM BAUDA NIZZA
$31.99 BTL./$191.94 - SIX PACK
$31.99 BTL./$191.94 - SIX PACK
Starting with the 2014 vintage, the area of Nizza has become its own appellation. Still made with 100% Barbera, Nizza’s regulations are very focused indeed. Only from 18 specific villages, Grape: 100% Barbera. Maximum yield: 49 hl/ha. Minimum alcohol: 13% (13.5%, if it is a single vineyard). Minimum barrel aging: 6 months (or 12 months for wine labelled 'Riserva'). Minimum total aging: 18 months (or 30 months for wine labelled 'Riserva').
There has been a lot said about 2014. It was challenging but as the old adage goes, a great winery will make excellent wines every year but given the great years, they can be profound. In 2014 there were many successful wines produced including this one. Normally just under 1100 cases are produced of Nizza. In 2014 the whole family, relatives included, worked the sorting table, literally removing by hand, any bad berries were removed. They definitely sacrificed their quantity for excellent quantity with only 650 cases. Soulful and confidentially Nizza with fresh uplifting red cherry that is quickly joined by camphor and a deep dark earthy, dense clay characteristic that screams Asti. Spice, anisette, porcini and juicy blueberry join in the mouth creating a supple, round and giving glass of real wine. This is the perfect red for all occasions with aged mountain cheeses, grilled meat or mushroom pasta courses. Drinking well right now and will continue to please over the next 8-10 years.
There has been a lot said about 2014. It was challenging but as the old adage goes, a great winery will make excellent wines every year but given the great years, they can be profound. In 2014 there were many successful wines produced including this one. Normally just under 1100 cases are produced of Nizza. In 2014 the whole family, relatives included, worked the sorting table, literally removing by hand, any bad berries were removed. They definitely sacrificed their quantity for excellent quantity with only 650 cases. Soulful and confidentially Nizza with fresh uplifting red cherry that is quickly joined by camphor and a deep dark earthy, dense clay characteristic that screams Asti. Spice, anisette, porcini and juicy blueberry join in the mouth creating a supple, round and giving glass of real wine. This is the perfect red for all occasions with aged mountain cheeses, grilled meat or mushroom pasta courses. Drinking well right now and will continue to please over the next 8-10 years.
2013 OLIM BAUDA NEBBIOLO D'ALBA
'SAN PIETRO'
$17.99 BTL./$107.94 - SIX PACK
'SAN PIETRO'
$17.99 BTL./$107.94 - SIX PACK
Even though the Bertolino family are associated with Barbera and based in the Asti region, winemaker Dino (Gianni’s brother) wanted to take on the challenge of the Nebbiolo grape and this led him to the Roero area of the Langhe.
Assertive and classic aromas of mushroom, turned earth, dried cherry, herbs, asphalt and sinister spice lead into a texture that is firmly focused with red fruits dominating and filling the mouth. The finish shows plenty of Nebbiolo grip and verticality as well as a packed, but impressive finish that is very indicative of a classic vintage like 2013, one that is somewhat 1996 or 2004. Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Assertive and classic aromas of mushroom, turned earth, dried cherry, herbs, asphalt and sinister spice lead into a texture that is firmly focused with red fruits dominating and filling the mouth. The finish shows plenty of Nebbiolo grip and verticality as well as a packed, but impressive finish that is very indicative of a classic vintage like 2013, one that is somewhat 1996 or 2004. Drink over the next 4-5 years.
2017 OLIM BAUDA GAVI
DEL COMUNE DI GAVI
$16.99 BTL./$101.94 - SIX PACK
DEL COMUNE DI GAVI
$16.99 BTL./$101.94 - SIX PACK
There is Gavi and then there is Gavi made specifically from the commune of Gavi, the traditional area in Piedmont for the Cortese grape. Grown at 1000 feet in the Gavi region of Piemonte, this devastatingly delicious white wine at 12.5% alcohol is a righteous choice for many who appreciate and love brisk, pure and unoaked white wines.
2017 was a warmer vintage in Piedmont so the citrusy fruit aspects ride up front with the mineral, saline and chalky character being great supporting players. Zippy, flavorful and a wine that coats and cleanses the entire palate. Open-knit and perfect for an aperitivo but even better with shellfish, green vegetables and even the holiday bird.
2017 was a warmer vintage in Piedmont so the citrusy fruit aspects ride up front with the mineral, saline and chalky character being great supporting players. Zippy, flavorful and a wine that coats and cleanses the entire palate. Open-knit and perfect for an aperitivo but even better with shellfish, green vegetables and even the holiday bird.
2017 OLIM BAUDA MOSCATO D'ASTI
'PIAN CENTIVE'
$9.99 HALF BTL./$119.88 - 12-PACK
'PIAN CENTIVE'
$9.99 HALF BTL./$119.88 - 12-PACK
The perfect way to finish off a meal or an afternoon in Asti is to partake in a bit of Moscato…and Olim Bauda's is terrific! People absolutely adore Moscato d'Asti. We have had numerous people who do not like wine tell us how fond they are of Moscato. Serious wine collectors tell us they can't get enough of the stuff. We've even had one client serve it with her wedding cake.
So what is Moscato anyway? It is a light 5-6° alcohol semi-sparkling wine from the DOCG region of Piedmont's astil hills, and made with the Muscat grape. The vineyard utilized for Olim Bauda's was planted in 1982 and it really shows! Nectarine and blood-orange along with gentle rose tones carry dominate the nose while in the mouth it is airy, flavorful and caressing with its fruity, creamy mousse, especially on the crunchy finish. Olim Bauda Moscato makes the perfect light ending to a meal served with a simple fruit inspired dessert. It is also a wonderful accompaniment to Sunday brunch. We love getting some fresh Oregon berries and pouring it over top of them.
So what is Moscato anyway? It is a light 5-6° alcohol semi-sparkling wine from the DOCG region of Piedmont's astil hills, and made with the Muscat grape. The vineyard utilized for Olim Bauda's was planted in 1982 and it really shows! Nectarine and blood-orange along with gentle rose tones carry dominate the nose while in the mouth it is airy, flavorful and caressing with its fruity, creamy mousse, especially on the crunchy finish. Olim Bauda Moscato makes the perfect light ending to a meal served with a simple fruit inspired dessert. It is also a wonderful accompaniment to Sunday brunch. We love getting some fresh Oregon berries and pouring it over top of them.
