The nebbiolo is certainly one of the vines I love most and among the Piedmont wine tasting certainly those organised by Go Wine are my favourite. First of all they are just the right size to taste all the wines in 2-3 hours for good measure, then the quality on offer is always very high. Known as the grape variety of Barolo DOCG, l'nebbiolo grape also gives enthusiasts splendid expressions in Upper Piedmont. I personally believe that the nebbiolo wine has always suffered somewhat from the popularity of Barolo and Barbarescoso I welcome these tasting counters capable of making it shine before an audience of Ho.Re.Ca. operators and enthusiasts. So this time I will not talk about Langhe Nebbiolo, but about other fascinating denominations such as Bramaterra DOC, Coste della Sesia DOC, Lumassina DOC, Ghemme DOC and Gattinara DOC.
The nebbiolo vine variety owes its name either to the abundant bloom that covers its berries, so much so that they appear cloudy, or to the late harvest that coincides with the first autumn harvests. Among the Piedmontese grape varieties Nebbiolo has the most heterogeneous population due to frequent mutations. The nebbiolo grapes are all characterised by a high sensitivity to powdery mildew, somewhat inconstant production and very specific cultivation requirements. Since it is rather sensitive to temperature fluctuations and loves hilly even almost mountainous locations with plenty of sunshine, it finds an ideal habitat in northern Piedmont to create a nebbiolo wine exceptional.
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Nebbiolo wines in tasting (all my notes)
Rosso della Motta 2019, Castellengo Castle
It is intense ruby red and transparent. The nose has delicate notes of both fresh and jammy cherries. In the mouth it is pleasant, with a somewhat pronounced pseudo-caloricity, but nevertheless enjoyable.
Coste della Sesia DOC Nebbiolo Centovigne 2015, Castello di Castellengo
It is transparent ruby red and somewhat discoloured. The wood is intense on the nose, but not annoying. Very pleasant, with well-blended tannins and great freshness. Long vanilla finish.
Coste della Sesia DOC Nebbiolo Castellengo 2014, Castello di Castellengo
It is deep ruby red and transparent, consistent. Delicate hints of wood and spices enchant the nose. In the mouth it is pleasant, fresh, soft, well blended and with a long finish. Very elegant.
Did you know that after this tasting I went to Castellengo Castle in Alto Piemonte?
Virgilio 2019, Guardasole Estates
It is intense ruby red and semi-transparent, consistent. The nose is delicate and all about fruit. In the mouth it is fresh, soft, with a good structure and very drinkable.
Pio Decimo 2019, Guardasole Estates
It is ruby red with violet hues, semi-transparent and consistent. Very interesting nose with notes of graphite, ink and plum. In the mouth it is fresh, more fruit-driven and with tannins that are still a little green, denoting either a slightly early harvest or a less than optimal ripening of the grapes on the vine.
Pio Decimo 2018, Guardasole Estates
It presents a semi-transparent ruby red colour. The nose has notes of jammy blackberry, wet bark fading into cloves. In the mouth, it is fresh, quite soft, structured and with tannin still to be rounded off.
Boca DOC 2018, Tenute Guardasole
It has a semi-transparent ruby red colour. The nose is a little too delicate for its potential, but still fine. In the mouth you can feel the wood, the ink note and the solvent. Very pleasant, the tannin denotes that it still needs years of bottle ageing.
Colline Novaresi DOC Nebbiolo 2020, Le Piane
It has an intense, semi-transparent ruby red colour, consistent. The nose is delicate and fruity. In the mouth it is delicate, consistent with the nose, soft and very drinkable.
Boca DOC 2016, Le Piane
It is intense ruby red, barely translucent and consistent. The nose is amazing, with notes of ink and paraffin, bitter cocoa. In the mouth it is fresh, coherently structured and very long. Very pleasant.
Croatina Le Piane Rosso 2017, Le Piane
It is impenetrably ruby red, consistent. The nose is elegant, fine, with notes of ink, dark chocolate, Jamaican black pepper. In the mouth it is soft, fresh, with well-blended tannins and a long vanilla finish.
Sizzano DOC 2018, Il Chiosso
It is semi-transparent ruby red, consistent. The nose is not particularly complex, delicate, with barely perceptible notes of vanilla. In the mouth it is consistent, soft, and acquires fascinating ink notes. Structured and with a long vanilla finish.
Ghemme DOCG 2018, Il Chiosso
It is semi-transparent and consistent ruby red. The nose is very delicate and not particularly complex. Pleasant in the mouth, with tannin that still needs time to blend. Very backward.
Gattinara DOCG 2013, Il Chiosso
It is transparent and consistent ruby red. The nose is intriguing, still a little closed. In the mouth it is soft, fresh, with tannin that still needs a few years to express itself at its best. Still a fine wine, with excellent drinkability.
Coste della Sesia DOC Nebbiolo Casteltorto 2015, Sella Estates 1671
Semi-transparent and consistent ruby red. The nose is elegant and complex, very spicy, cocoa, tobacco and undergrowth. In the mouth it is pleasant, structured, fresh, with tannin that still needs time, but it is already an extraordinary wine.
Lessona DOC Nebbiolo and Vespolina 2011, Sella Estates 1671
It is semi-transparent and consistent ruby red. The nose is intense and complex with notes of ink, jammy black mulberry, pepper. In the mouth it is soft, consistent and elegant, in full maturity.
Bramaterra DOC I Porfidi 2011, Tenute Sella 1671
It is semi-transparent and consistent ruby red. The nose is intense and broad, with spectacular notes of chocolate, ink, black pepper, vanilla, underbrush and paraffin. In the mouth it is soft, very fresh, consistent, spicy with a very long finish of ink. Outstanding.
Coste della Sesia DOC Vespolina Tèra Rùssa 2012, Pietro Cassina
It is ruby red with brick red highlights. The nose is spectacular and is also spectacular in the mouth with very pleasant vanilla notes that are also confirmed in the long finish.
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Coste della Sesia DOC Nebbiolo Ciuèt 2011, Pietro Cassina
It presents a semi-transparent and consistent ruby red colour. Nose with intense ink, solvent and earthy notes. In the mouth it is soft, balanced and consistent with a very enveloping mouthfeel. Very long. Exceptional.
Lessona DOC 2015, Pietro Cassina
It is a beautiful intense ruby red. The nose has animal notes, raw chocolate, porcini mushroom, pepper. In the mouth it is consistent, very fresh and with a long finish of underbrush. Exceptional.
Bramaterra DOC 2016, Pietro Cassina
It is a beautiful ruby red, consistent. Nose and mouth are completely shifted to liquorice, a real delight. Balanced, with velvety tannin. Very long finish.
Ghemme DOCG Riserva (nebbiolo and vespolina) 2009, Torraccia
It is a deep ruby red, barely transparent with coffee reflections. On the nose notes of coffee, rhubarb, liquorice, chocolate. In the mouth it is very fresh, consistent and still with potential for evolution in the bottle.
This splendid vine has once again managed to move me! Many thanks to the president of Go Wine Massimo Corrado for his work and the invitation.
Cheers 🍷
Chiara