Tasting Note
With time, the nose has developed a subtle, gamey note but the telltale floral characteristic is still evident. Deep fruit on the palate with real volume and intensity balanced by the trademark La Morra elegance and finesse. An outstanding expression of modern nebbiolo at its best.
Region Details
Piedmont is a powerhouse for quality wine in Italy, with a number of producers, traditional and forward-thinking, leading the charge. Both barolo and barbaresco have been transformed in the last thirty years, so that the old definitions no longer apply. Nebbiolo remains the noble grape but viticulture, vinification - and pricing - have changed irrevocably. Modern wines are elegant, rich and fruit-focused, with a fine veneer of new oak; even traditional wines are less woody and display sleeker tannins than in the days of yore, and the caricature of pruney, blood-coloured and astringent barolo, or of soft-centred and overstretched barbaresco is now consigned to history. The region delivers a multitude of wines from other grapes too, white, red, sweet and sparkling, and a near-unbroken run of good and great vintages since the mid-nineties have added to the appeal.
Vintage Notes
2001 - Italy
The fifth fine year in a row for the reds of the north-west, with success for both Nebbiolo and Barbera. Whilst far from uniform, the season permitted a long, steady ripening and an unhurried harvest, which continued into October. The balance achieved, allied to the concentration and power, suggests that this is, for a number of producers, one of the finest vintages since 1990. Tuscany excelled too, with a fine crop achieved in the Chianti zones. Wines have lustre, depth and complexity. A great vintage for Brunello, and highly successful in Bolgheri in the west of the region.
Grape Variety
The most noble of Piedmont's red grapes where it is used alone in the production of both barolo and barbaresco. A late ripening variety, it is prone to poor autumnal weather; but in the right conditions it soars to heights of complexity, offering both tannic structure and delicacy. When young it exhibits an array of aromas and flavours, with violets, plum and even tar present, and has the potential to age magnificently. Always notably crisp, usually high in alcohol, it needs sensitive handling to avoid astringency. For this reason it has rarely translated successfully to other growing regions.
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