Piedmont new releases

A blend of two declassified Nebbiolo da Barolo vineyards: Bussia Brovi in Monforte d’Alba & Roncaglie in La Morra. There is purity of fruit and a precision and focus that are integral to this wine. The acidity is zesty and lively and the tannins are incredibly well resolved despite the wine’s youth.

The fruit comes from the San Sebastiano vineyard in Monforte, a site that has exceptional expositions for the Barbera grape. A significant amount of whole cluster and whole berry fruit goes into this Barbera that is aged exclusively in concrete to preserve the wine’s true expression. Sour cherry and damson fruit take hold of this red fruit focused wine. Subtle reduction adds some complexity, along with the wine’s mineral core.

This is an exciting 1st vintage release and it doesn’t disappoint, it is a shame that only 2000 bottles were made. The vines are situated at the top of the hill and have a high percentage of sand, producing a wine with great vivacity. There is a finesse and salinity to the core with clove and liquorice spice supporting the sour cherry and pomegranate aromas. The savoury, chalky tannins provide an elegant structure to this breathtaking Barolo.

Lemon verbena and white peach notes are displayed on the nose with a grapefruit acidity that gives a vibrancy to the core. Attractive phenolics help contribute structure to this enjoyable Arneis. This white wine is more concentrated than the nose may suggest, leaving you tasting this rather moreish Arneis for quite a while on the finish.

Bright red cherry and red plum fruits have attractive liquorice and clove spice layers that support the lively fruit profile. Tannins are powdery and mesh well with the palate's juicy core.

Attractive perfume of red cherries, wild flowers and raspberries combine beautifully with a savoury gravelly note. The palate is very precise with a zesty acidity and well knit tannins. An approachable Barolo that showcases the best the region has to offer.

A parcel within a single vineyard. Rocche sits at the top of the hill and has the oldest vines within the vineyard. Complex layers of red plums, cherries, rose and sweet clove and cinnamon spice. There is a herbal note on the palate as well as a leather that adds intrigue, with firm powdery tannins that are quite prominent now, but will almost certainly calm down in a couple of years. This is a classy wine that needs time.

Volumes are extremely limited with only 3600 bottles produced. There is lots going on in this wine, very intense and concentrated yet it still possesses poise and focus. Dark red berry fruits, liquorice and subtle tobacco notes are supported with clove spice. Tannins are firm and need time but have a high quality chalkiness to them and the richness on the palate balances out these rugged edges quite nicely.

Enrico fell in love with this wine during the harvest. It’s so fresh and pure, with exceptionally fine, silky, saline tannins, and remarkable length. There’s complexity too: citrus fruit and red berries, and then a hint of seaspray. Wonderful, and balanced on the finish.

This vineyard, that shares the estate’s name, has marne and clay at the top, and then a little sand lower down. So there are 2 soils in the same cru. It’s savoury and pure, and there’s a density and hints of smoke on the finish. This is such a charming Barbaresco: an unbelievable bargain.

This spends one year in cask, and is born like the Barbaresco here. Juicy, pure, with lovely acidity, and a wonderfully fresh wash of fruit, what’s not to love.

This single vineyard Moscato is one of the most enticing and joyful examples of Moscato d’Asti, demonstrating wonderful balance and energy. There are attractive peach and mandarin notes that are supported further by lemon verbena and pink grapefruit.

With only 6000 bottles produced, this 2019 sparkling is precise and very linear. White blossom, crushed shells as well as a nervy acidity produce a wine that is razor focused. At only 4 grams dosage, the wine is savoury and rather refreshing.

A historical grape variety of Piedmont, a few producers are bringing back the indigenous grape variety, Pelaverga. This is peppery, fresh, and delicious: serve slightly chilled to see the best of it.

This flies under the radar compared to Monvigliero, and it feels a little closer in style to La Morra, but there’s fine-boned tannins and a lovely sense of savouriness on the finish. Very well balanced.

The same soil as Rabaja, it’s the exposition here that’s key. This is very energetic, with grippy tannins, lots of minerality, and excellent balance of richness and bright acidity. A really charming Barbaresco.

With the grapes coming from 3 different vineyards with a number of old vines, the wine takes on additional layers and weight. The 2020 combines juicy red cherry and pomegranate fruit with floral and sweet spice notes as well as an energetic core with chalky, well integrated tannins.

A blend of Verduno vineyards, this has notes of balsamic, and it has the strawberry fruit and soft, sandy tannins you'd expect from this commune. So much drive and energy: just such a delicious Barolo.

Mario decided that the 2018 Monvigliero needed less time in barrel, and felt it won’t age quite as long as some vintages, so this isn’t a Riserva this year. This is so refined, pure, and energetic, with lovely finesse, and sumptuous tannins. This is pure Monvigliero, and such a delight already.

There’s a lot of freshness to the 2017 Monvigliero Riserva, and also a very silky palate, despite the challenges of the vintage. This has grip and grows on the palate, and there’s notes of sea spray and red fruits, and then some balsamic. Very complex, with time this will blossom into a wonderful wine.

Vinified in oak rather than stainless steel (as the Rabajà-Bas is). This is aromatic and open, with wild flowers on the nose and plenty of intensity. There’s a purity and focus to the fruit, and notes of liquorice and tons of energy on the finish. This is very impressive, and very long indeed.

Made from young vines, the 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo is a joyful wine, with crunchy cherry fruit, hints of citrus fruit, and also notes of fresh pomegranate. The palate is well-balanced, and there's a nice lick of savoury tannins. A lovely expression of the style.

From a single plot of the celebrated Bricco Boschis vineyard, the San Giuseppe is rightfully revered as one of Piedmont's greatest wines. This is so intense and concentrated, with grippy tannins, yet the elegance and refinement that marks out a truly great wine. Complex, long, and detailed, this has to be tried.

The Barolo Bricco Boschis comes from the Cavallotto family's monopole vineyard, that surrounds the family home. From a brilliant vintage, this shows remarkable poise and purity, and there's also lots of silky fruit on the finish. Beautifully done, this vintage is not to be missed.