Piedmont 2021 En Primeur

This is a debut appearance on our list for Alessandria’s Pelaverga, and a very welcome addition it is! A varietal kept alive by Vittore and a handful of other producers, its grown on the higher slopes of Verduno normally reserved for Barolo. Renowned for its prominent spicy, peppery aromas and pale red colour, it exudes character, with notes of Rhubarb, rose hip, pepper and citrus pith on the palate. Lively and fresh with moderate tannins, it’s best drunk young but it can develop nicely if you can resist. 0-5 years

Yum, yum! With enveloping notes of black cherry, spice, forest fruit, plum and leather on the palate, this is deliciously full-bodied. A very satisfying lick of fresh acidity keeps it bright and juicy. The Barbera d’Alba is sourced from vineyards in Gramolere and Verduno, spending 15 months in oak tonneaux and botti grandi. 3-9 years

A charming, red fruited delight, Nebbiolo doesn’t come more accessible than this! With a wealth of fresh raspberry, wild strawberry, hints of rose and flora it begs to be drunk young. Balanced, fresh with fine tannins, those notes of ripe, crunchy red berries and subtle spice persist until the final drop. Very satisfying! 0-5 years.

The Comune di Verduno is a five-vineyard blend and represents the first rung on the ladder from this prestigious Barolo estate. A vibrant ruby hue is followed by an alluring bouquet of violets, rose, red berries, and subtle spice. On the palate, it delivers a harmonious blend of fresh strawberries, cherries, and a hint of orange zest, supported by fine, well-integrated tannins. Showing huge promise, the wine's elegant structure and persistent finish suggest a bright future ahead. 5-15 years

Harvested in early October the silt-rich San Lorenzo vineyard delivers a more accessible, upfront style of Barolo than its more famous Monvigliero neighbour. Still a little tight on the nose, with a little coaxing it opens up with enticing aromas of fresh strawberries and subtle cocoa. The palate reveals ripe tannins supporting juicy red fruits, culminating in a sculpted finish. Offering a harmonious balance of elegance and structure this is simply delicious!’ 5-15 years. 5-15 years

Sourced from the village of Monforte d'Alba, the Gramolere vineyard was harvested in mid-October. Vibrant garnet in colour, it delivers a brooding nose of black cherry, plum, tobacco and spice. On the palate, it offers a powerful yet balanced structure with velvety tannins, minerality, vibrant acidity, and a long, enveloping finish. Contrasting nicely with the Verduno elegance, this Gramolere is for those of you who like you Barolo’s big! 5-15 years.

Monvigliero is regarded as a ‘Grand Cru’ of the Barolo region, the 2021 release shows you why! Made in tiny quantities, it immediately envelops you in an intoxicating medley of rose water, pomegranate, blood orange and hint of menthol. Intense but nervy, this is so well balanced, carrying an energetic core of dark fruits, bergamot, rose petal and spices. An irresistible wine, I only wish we could get more. 5-15 years.

Bright and luminous ruby red in the glass it offers aromas of dark flowers and red fruit preserves, complemented by subtle spicy and earthy notes. On the palate, it is well-structured and rounded, featuring well-integrated tannins. This is a delicious entry-level Nebbiolo. 0-5 years

For only the second time, the Borgogno Barolo is sourced from three different plots, with Nebbiolo from Novello, Monforte d’Alba and La Morra completing the blend. Making an impact from the start, the nose offers plenty of spice, red cherry and herbal notes. Whilst elegant and precise, there’s a fleshy core of crushed rose petals, raspberry, sweet orange and leafy freshness which hint at the vineyard characteristics. Spending 18 months in botti grandi (large oak casks), this is very good indeed and perhaps the best Borgogno Barolo I’ve tried. 5-15 years

For only the second time, the Borgogno Barolo is sourced from three different plots, with Nebbiolo from Novello, Monforte d’Alba and La Morra completing the blend. Making an impact from the start, the nose offers plenty of spice, red cherry and herbal notes. Whilst elegant and precise, there’s a fleshy core of crushed rose petals, raspberry, sweet orange and leafy freshness which hint at the vineyard characteristics. Spending 18 months in botti grandi (large oak casks), this is very good indeed and perhaps the best Borgogno Barolo I’ve tried. 5-15 years

Sourced entirely from the prized Cannubi hill just outside the village of Barolo, the 2021 has a seductive warmth to it. With super focus and plenty of tannic grip, it delivers intense notes of black and red cherry, liquorice, rosehip and herbs. Add into the mix a refreshing, juicy acidity and the complexity 31 months of ageing in botti grande brings, it’s no wonder Emanuela and team are proud of this latest Cannubi. 5-15 years.

Sourced entirely from the prized Cannubi hill just outside the village of Barolo, the 2021 has a seductive warmth to it. With super focus and plenty of tannic grip, it delivers intense notes of black and red cherry, liquorice, rosehip and herbs. Add into the mix a refreshing, juicy acidity and the complexity 31 months of ageing in botti grande brings, it’s no wonder Emanuela and team are proud of this latest Cannubi.5-15 years.

Sourced entirely from the prized Cannubi hill just outside the village of Barolo, the 2021 has a seductive warmth to it. With super focus and plenty of tannic grip, it delivers intense notes of black and red cherry, liquorice, rosehip and herbs. Add into the mix a refreshing, juicy acidity and the complexity 31 months of ageing in botti grande brings, it’s no wonder Emanuela and team are proud of this latest Cannubi.5-15 years.

Aged in cask for 52 months the Riserva offers a wealth of complex bouquet of ripe cherries, raspberries, and subtle herbal notes. Powerful and dense on the palate, the fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity, lead to a savoury finish with hints of liquorice and earthy undertones. 5-15 years.

The 2021 Albarella exudes notes vibrant red cherry, rose petals, and hints of tar. The palate is generous, and well-structured with silky tannins, bright acidity, and layers of dried herbs, spice, and earthy depth. Quite rich with softening red fruit, it has a long, mineral-driven finish which is immediately appealing. Already hitting its stride, there’s no need to cellar this for an age, enjoy! 5-15 years.

Displaying lovely, ruby clarity in the glass, the Langhe offers up pronounced aromas of red fruits such as raspberry, apricot, and cherry, complemented by floral hints of violets. The mouthfeel is warm and delicately dry, showcasing a well-balanced structure with pleasant tannins and a lingering aftertaste of cherries. Delicious! 0-5 years

This is the estate’s flagship wine, sourced from vineyards in Contrada Roggeri, Bettolottii and San Biagio. Initially quite subtle on the nose, it opens to reveal notes of herb, red cherry, mint and dried apricot. There’s some grip but the core is sumptuous with almost a ‘sweetness’ to the red fruit. Seductive and moreish, this is an excellent Barolo which will improve with tie. 5-15 years.

This is the estate’s flagship wine, sourced from vineyards in Contrada Roggeri, Bettolottii and San Biagio. Initially quite subtle on the nose, it opens to reveal notes of herb, red cherry, mint and dried apricot. There’s some grip but the core is sumptuous with almost a ‘sweetness’ to the red fruit. Seductive and moreish, this is an excellent Barolo which will improve with tie. 5-15 years.

Sourced from 60–70-year-old vines, just south of the La Morra hill the Capalot always delivers greater intensity than the Commune. Surprisingly approachable, there’s a wealth of herb, mint, spice and black cherry on the nose. Generous, with soft edges, there is added red and black fruit weight and evidence of botti grandi ageing on the palate. So much too like, this will age easily for years to come. 5-15 years

Quite restrained on the nose, it offers up hints of liquorice, spice, rose hip, plum, fresh leather and cherry. Tightly bound and structured, it is rich and powerful in nature with fine well integrated tannins. With a broad, persistent finish, the fruity and spicy notes blend with a pleasant minerality. Worth tucking away for several years. 5-15 years.

This is Alberto’s very first release of Monvigliero and what a cracker! With lovely weight and texture, there’s an ever so slight creaminess to the notes of wild strawberry and cherry. Blood orange, herb and red cherry come through, but the ever-pervading feeling is of purity. Refined and aristocratic this is top-notch Monvigliero with a very bright future ahead of it. 5-15 years

The Roccapalea is gathering a legion of fans and the 2021 will not disappoint! The south facing vineyards are located in Santa Vittora d'Alba. With lovely energy from the outset, it provides a wealth of bright raspberry, strawberry fruit, herb and spice on the palate. Juicy to the core, the tannins are nice and ripe and oh so sumptuous! Very moreish. 5-10 years.

The Rombone vineyard is located in Treiso. Facing south-east, at an average altitude of 350 metres, the vineyards benefit from broad diurnal temperatures ensuring they have a signature freshness. Enticing aromas of dried herb, red cherry, wild strawberry are followed by more of the same on the palate. Elegant, with salivating freshness, the wild strawberry notes and touches of menthol keep on coming. Balanced with nicely integrated tannins, this is a joyous wine which would be enhanced further with food. 3-9 years

More serious than its stablemate, the Starderi is a little closed and coy to start with but soon opens out to reveal a wine, intense and brooding in character. With evident structure, it delivers complex notes of spice, red current, blood orange, herb and a hint of balsamic vinegar. The tannins are soft and melt away, leaving a long, mineral finish. This will age gracefully. 5-15 years

Exemplifying Renato and Milva’s approach to winemaking the Langhe is a super, refined Nebbiolo. Pale ruby hue in colour, the nose reveals aromas of red cherries, truffle, and liquorice. The core is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, offering flavours of bramble and red cherry fruit, complemented by notes of tobacco, rose, and truffle. The finish is savoury, featuring hints of liquorice and asphalt. 0-5 years

Sourced from the lower vines of the dramatically steep terraces of Buglio-in Monte, winemaker Mattia Franzina can be rightly proud that all his hard work has not gone to waste! A wonderfully attractive nose of cool, ripe raspberry, strawberry and spices lead onto a juicy, soft palate of more red fruits and wiff of oak. Very much a fruit driven Nebbiolo (or Chiavennasca as its non-locally), this is an excellent all-rounder and perfect for newcomers to this noble grape varietal. 3-9 years.