Piedmont new releases

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.

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.

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.

This comes from Bussia, Mosconi, and Ginestra: a plot selection. A beautiful nose, with very fine tannins, and lots of juiciness to the fruit on the finish. Beautifully balanced, and pretty long. An excellent value Barolo.

From a one hectare site in Baudana, in Serralunga d’Alba, and you immediately feel the difference in tannic structure. There’s saline, limestone texture, lots of purity of fruit, and a red strawberry wash across the palate. Very not, with a tonic-like note on the finish.

Located in the cru of Rive di Santa Maria in the village of La Morra, the old vine fruit and the La Morra location give this Barolo an edgier and darker profile. Bramble fruits and garrigue aromas are evident on this wine, with hints of truffle giving additional layers. Tannins are firm and chalky and need a couple of years to resolve, but when ready, this wine will be outstanding.

Sourced from 3 vineyards (La Volta, Fossati and Coste di Vergne) with different expositions of up to 480 metres altitude benefitting from fossil and limestone marl soils, this wine is the most approachable in its youth, yet due to the wine’s innate quality has plenty of life in it. Vivid sour cherry, pomegranate and redcurrants are supported by a lively, crisp acidity and compact tannins. Wild flowers persist on the finish of this rather enjoyable Barolo.

Situated between Cannubi and Bussia, the Coste de Rose MGA is considered by many Barolo aficionados as an undiscovered gem. The most floral in style, supported by blood orange notes and a mineral and saline core, this is a tightly wound Barolo that oozes class. The tannins may need a little time to resolve, yet they provide the structure that will enable this wine to age for a long time in bottle.

More intense and powerful than the other Barolos, this has lots of density of tannins, with a texture that’s almost talc-like. There’s so much going on here, but it feels more closed and brooding than the other wines. A classic Bricat, this will need time.

Tasted as a barrel sample. This has a lot of concentration, with real intensity and purity to the fruit. It comes from the vineyard surrounding the winery. There are Serralunga-like chalky tannins, and crisp acidity, from a vineyard that’s around 450metres-420metres above sea level.

Having bought the vineyard at the end of 2010 and replanted the following year, 2014 was the 1st vintage of this now much sought after wine. The layers of complexity well surpass the youth of the vines. This is quite an expressive, almost showy style of Barolo with bramble fruit, dried rose and hints of truffle. The tannins have a sweetness to them, but have a structure and firmness that 2019 brings. Exceptionally long.

With south and south west exposure, on limestone and clay rich soil at the top of the Lazzarito vineyard, this wine displays a spicy and pepper notes combined with wild flowers and herbs. Tannins are quite pronounced currently, but there is a restrained concentration that will allow this wine to mellow in bottle. A rather alluring wine.

These over 60 year old vines are situated in the famed Lazzarito vineyard and you can really feel the quality of this vineyard come through in this wine. There is a lot of energy and vibrancy and layers of complexity with anise, wild flowers, sour cherries and smoky notes. Tannins are firm and quite present currently, but you can’t help but be impressed with their handling and the wine’s balance.

The south east facing vineyard, situated next to the Cerretta vineyard benefits from the morning sun, producing a wine with great juxtaposition. Juicy red berry and plum fruits are also supported by layers of violet and wild herbs as well as a mineral finish. Tightly wound core, in time the firm tannins are sure to resolve rather beautifully.

This cru vineyard site makes up just under a third of Manuel’s holdings and is situated on the western edge of the region. Attractive rose and crushed raspberry perfume combine with cranberry, damsons and cinnamon spice. The tannins are chalky and firm and woven into the wine’s concentrated core.

The grapes are sourced from 9 vineyards spread across 5 villages, although predominantly Serralunga. Rose and violets and subtle dried cranberry combined with liquorice spice and truffle notes. The tannins are significant, yet the wine’s concentrated core is more than adequate to withstand their presence.

From one of the most famous sites in Neive, this shows the classic character of the commune. Very delicate and fragrant, this shows the classic tar and roses that we love in so much great Nebbiolo. Very pretty, and alpine tinged.

The vineyard in Barbaresco that arguably made Roagna’s name. Pajé is a small strip of land facing South West, with an average age of the vines for this wine of 40 years old. It’s a benchmark Barbaresco, with lots of purity and delicacy to the fruit. Don’t miss this.

Darker and more brooding than the Gallina, this has more spice and sour cherry and lots of grip. Savoury, with impressive potential, and lots of dried herbs on the finish. A serious Barbaresco.

Darker and more brooding than the Gallina, this has more spice and sour cherry and lots of grip. Savoury, with impressive potential, and lots of dried herbs on the finish. A serious Barbaresco.

A 0.24 Hectare site bought by the Roagna family in 1929, the average age of the vines is over 50 years. It’s a much more brooding example of Barbaresco, with iron oxide and burnt earth, and also a smokiness. So complex, and will last a lifetime.

With an average of 50 year old vines, this is so complex and profound, with a real intensity to the tannins, and notes of minerals, as well as lots of wild flowers on the finish. Such a complex wine.

A tiny production wine from Luca, that’s got lots of Tortonian soil character. Lots of silky tannins, citrus fruit, and a lovely sense of purity. Rare but beautiful.

From one of the most famous sites in Neive, this shows the classic character of the commune. Very delicate and fragrant, this shows the classic tar and roses that we love in so much great Nebbiolo. Very pretty, and alpine tinged.