Alto Piemonte : Terroir nobility

There aren’t so many cultivars like Nebbiolo able to cast in the glass each shadow, energy and sentiment of soils, and even the microclimate around them.

Normally, Nebbiolo stands for langhe but there is such a movement in the north of Piedmont… many young farmers are coming back to farming proposing again with modern style wines become famous in the XiX century; in the near future we may say there will be even more thrilling and awesome passion by those people who are looking for wines rich in elegance, verticality and powers. Wines with an unbelievable acidity able to age very well. In each ten denominations produced (gattinara, Boca, ghemme, Sizzano, Fara, Bramaterra, colline novaresi, fara, lessona and valli ossolane) in 30 kilometers, disciplinary allow wineries to use besides Nebbiolo grapes also croatina, vespolina and Uva rara. We face to sixty-hundred hectares and one million nine hundred eleven thousand seven hundred ninety-one, bottles produced in 2020.

Below to find our best sip at the blind tasting hold by the Consorzio Tutela Nebbioli Alto Piemonte.

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Rovellotti – Ghemme Riserva DOCG Costa del Salmino 2015
Fibrous, charismatic, it’s an increase of material, full of energy. A river always restarting offering great dynamism and power with an elegance to be discovered in time.
Score : 16+/20 (92-93/100)

Podere ai Valloni – Boca DOC Vigna Cristiana 2012
Ripe berries and hints of sage accentuate everything, iodized sensations tell in advance we face into an oceanic freshness. There is a depth and pleasantness in the sip, a wine that appears not to be nearly ten years old.
Score : 16+/20 (92-93/100)

Cassina Pietro – Lessona DOC Pidrin 2015
There is maybe a bit of new oak, felt at the palate but it is extremely positive the results: a solid sip, gorgeous, elegant, huge and embracing. (100% Nebbiolo).
Score : 16/20 (92/100)

Caligaris Luca – Gattinara DOCG 2017
Iodized, material, tannins are very explosive, pressing, time spent in wood still evident. it closes with a river of minerals giving a vertical and compact trail.
Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)

Platinetti Guido – Ghemme DOCG Vigna Ronco Maso 2017
Nebbiolo 100%, a bit close at the begging, then shows a concentration and different layers of density, the carpet of tannins must be crumbled. incisively, tight, the fruits will be more expressive with ageing. lofty potential ageing.
Score : 16/20 (92/100)
Tenute Sella – Lessona DOC San Sebastiano allo Zoppo 2012
It seems that the arrival of the new winemaker from Alto Adige is starting to show the first results. Red citrus, the sip is already open, airy, elegant and always based on the fruits. A change of style for a new, modern, elegance without forgetting the longevity.
Score : 15.75/20 (91-92/100)

Antoniotti – Bramaterra DOC 2017
A mix of grapes, (Nebbiolo 70%) melted with delicate and balance; its soften embracing the power of the juices, its inside minerality drags and drops the substance showing all the taste given by all grapes.
Score : 15.75/20 (91-92/100)

Valle Roncati – Sizzano Riserva DOC Roano 2015
Notes of incense, capers, berries, it’s pretty deep since the beginning. The palate offers a very impact body driven by an elegance supported by pixels of tannins. There is a special marine substratum that gives sapidity lingering the sip.
Score : 15.75/20 (91-92/100)

Torraccia del Piantavigna – Ghemme Riserve DOCG Pelizzane 2008
A very clear and silky sip, notes of eucalyptus, bitter orange, it’s very open, distensive, round. The freshness back the juice leads the wine into a new dimension. Born in 2008, still young.
Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)

Ioppa – Ghemme DOCG Santa Fé 2015
Nebbiolo and vespolina (15%) for a sapidity and zesty notes slender in dynamic forms ending with vegetal aromas. Elegant the taste with a silky body and tannins well balanced.
Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)

Cantina del Signore – Gattinara DOCG Il Putto Vendemmiatore 2017
Nebbiolo (100%) so fresh and crisp with herbaceous notes linked to those of bergamot; seem white rather than red. So close at the palate. Tight texture demanding time to wait.
Score : 15.25+/20 (90-91/100)

Canova – Ghemme DOCG Victor 2013
It is true that wines need time to be drinkable. After eight-year spent in bottles, today there is quite a subtile body but showed modern, nimble; a wine in which feel the Alps and the microclimate made by wind, sun, quiet and soft lake salinity.
Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)

Massimo Clerico – Lessona Riserva DOC 2015
One of the most elegant sips in terms of juice. There is a great use of wood for a Nebbiolo made in a classic style, tannins are very fixed, great volume and hints of tobacco and cacao in the end.
Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)

Cantina Garrone – Valli ossolane Nebbiolo Superiore DOC Prünent 10 Brente 2016
Nebbiolo (100%) made in steep hills, the juice is so fruity, longing and energetic, with a very soft layer of tannins. Blueberries always in the background.
Score : 15.25+/20 (90-91/100)

Roccia Rossa – Bramaterra DOC 2016
Formidable, giving, rocks fix at the palate the feeling of the nose: a bit of wood, fruit overripe; graphite, a long sip with great potential ageing.
Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)

Travagllini – Gattinara Riserva DOCG
Nebbiolo 100%, the most iconic bottle of gattinara gives harmony but even a vibrant density, a charming intensity in the middle of the palate; tannins are refreshed and moved by a salty finish.
Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)

Antoniolo – Gattinara Riserva DOCG San Francesco 2015
It’s very floral and open, a wine with a proper harmony on the palate showing a dance of tannins and dainty aromas (roses and matrimony vine).
Score : 15.25+/20 (90-91/100)

La Palazzina – Bramaterra DOC Balmi Bioti 2016
A very powerful nose, explosive, with its red fruits, red citrus; very fresh, savory, chewable, a bit salty in the after taste. A blend of grapes, 24 months of ageing in wood.
Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)

Barbagli – Boca DOC 2016
Nebbiolo (80%) with great purity and balance. There is a controlled substance driven by the wood and the acidity, both able to lead the body in a long and delicate after taste.
Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)

by Erika Montovan