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.

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.

A juicy, easygoing Barbera, for those who love the more elegant expression of this grape variety. There’s a fragrance and juiciness here, that’s really rather endearing.

A blend of 50% Nebbiolo and 50% Barbera, all aged in Barrique, with 70% new oak. All the fruit comes from Ginestra, and 1981 was the first vintage. This is spicy with good depth, and lovely grip to the tannins. Needs some time.

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.

From a vineyard that could be used to produce Barolo, this is a tensile, juicy, strawberry tinged Langhe Nebbiolo. Never overworked, and brilliantly balanced, it’s a delicious expression of this style of wine.

From a higher vineyard than Pajana, this has more clay in the soil. As such, it’s a purer, more typical expression of Ginestra, and of Monforte. There’s a lot of intensity and grip here, and also lovely salinity on the finish.

Just 5,000 bottles were made of this, from 350 metres above sea level, from the Ginestra cru. This is rich, with softer and more gentle tannins than Ciabot Mentin. You feel the saline, Monforte tannins here, but without them being overpowering. This is a brilliantly balanced Barolo.

This is 100% Nebbiolo, all from vineyards that could be used for Barolo. And in 2022, with not Runcot produced, this will also include the estate’s best fruit: so this is a real bargain. Stunning purity, and a delicious wash of fruit.

This only sees stainless steel, and comes from Ginestra, from a rich and powerful soil with lots of clay. There’s real tension here, with tons of purity and very well-balanced energy. The tannins are juicy, and there’s lovely finesse on the finish.

From vines planted in 1986, at the highest part of the property, at 450m of altitude. There’s some stones in the soil, and this sees ⅓ new oak, ⅓ used, ⅓ stainless steel. It’s a charming Chardonnay, with creaminess and lots of texture.

Very close to the Barolo plantations, this sees 18 months in 40% new oak. It’s a serious Barbera, and one that deserves time. Dark fruit and spice, and also a hint of blood orange and a lot of tension. Impressive.

Very close to the Barolo plantations, this sees 18 months in 40% new oak. It’s a serious Barbera, and one that deserves time. Dark fruit and spice, and also a hint of blood orange and a lot of tension. Impressive.

This is a benchmark Chiniera, with sandy tannins and loads of tension and energy. It’s slightly closed at the moment, but the energy on the palate, and the silky fruit, both point at the remarkable potential of this wine.

Picked two weeks earlier than the Chiniera, on much more classic Ginestra soils, this is darker and more balsamic, with lots of wild fruit, an intensity, and also a sense of real purity. Energetic and structured on the finish, this is very long indeed.

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.

The grapes are sourced from the villages Serralunga d’Alba, Collaretto and La Morra. Vivid purple fruit notes with black cherries, blueberries and pepper spice . The palate displays brightness, purity and juiciness.

This wine showcases a generosity of cranberry, pomegranate and bright red plum fruit, underpinned by a juiciness and ripeness on the palate. The tannins are supple and the wine offers immediate drinking pleasure.

The grapes are sourced from Serralunga, La Morra and Castiglione Falletto. The majority comes from Serralunga and produces a wine of elegance and with a salinity that lingers on the finish. Wild herbs, savoury spice and crushed strawberries are supported by an attractive rose perfume. This wine is energetic and simply stunning.

The grapes are sourced from Serralunga, La Morra and Castiglione Falletto. The majority comes from Serralunga and produces a wine of elegance and with a salinity that lingers on the finish. Wild herbs, savoury spice and crushed strawberries are supported by an attractive rose perfume. This wine is energetic and simply stunning.

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.

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.

At just under 5 hectares, this vineyard is one of the highest in the region and closest to the Alps, often one of the last vineyards to be picked, which is the ideal for the long ripening Nebbiolo variety. Expect violets, blackcurrants with a mineral and saline backbone. Leather and anise support the bright fruit perfume, with serious but very well handled tannins.

At just under 5 hectares, this vineyard is one of the highest in the region and closest to the Alps, often one of the last vineyards to be picked, which is the ideal for the long ripening Nebbiolo variety. Expect violets, blackcurrants with a mineral and saline backbone. Leather and anise support the bright fruit perfume, with serious but very well handled tannins.

This single vineyard in the heart of Novello is Vajra’s first vineyard to ripen thanks to southern amphitheatre position. There is a lot happening with this wine, it has layers of sweet and savoury spice and a pepper note that continues on the finish. There is a richness that is beautifully balanced and brought into check with the firm, chalky tannins and lively acidity.

Nestled in the village of Serralunga, this wine displays wonderful tautness and a mineral profile. Crushed gravel, sour cherry and wild berry perfume are carefully supported by a umami salinity on the finish. The tannins are tight knit and firm and provide the perfect structure for this captivating wine.

This comes from a number of different sites, and it’s a textured, vibrant white, with lots of grip, mouth watering salinity, and a long and delicious finish. This is an utter bargain for a wine that’s sure to impress.

We back this to be one of the great whites of Italy, and it’s totally delicious in 2022. From a vineyard with more clay than most of Roero, there’s structure, with grapefruit, preserved lemonds, and also spearmint. This is energetic, with impressive density. Brilliant.

We back this to be one of the great whites of Italy, and it’s totally delicious in 2022. From a vineyard with more clay than most of Roero, there’s structure, with grapefruit, preserved lemons, and also spearmint. This is energetic, with impressive density. Brilliant.

The last wetter vintage seen in Roero, this is such a charming wine. There’s a wash of wild strawberries, with some spice, and just a hint of reduction. For a delicious Nebbiolo, that’s a total crowd pleaser, look no further.

Always a favourite Langhe Nebbiolo, this is juicy, sappy, with a lovely wash of fruit. Fine tannins and an easy going nature. So delicious.

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.

A grape variety saved from extinction by Mauro’s dad, Giovanni. He worked with the University of Turin, and planted the vineyard in 1982. It comes originally from Liguria, and would have followed the salt road between the two regions. This is textured and finessed, and there’s lovely purity here. It’s very complex, with delicacy and length. Brill.

Softer and more elegant than the Castelletto, this has lovely herbal lift and there’s wonderful balance to the fruit. There’s a lightness of touch to the tannins, but they build and coat the mouth. This is a wonderful vintage for Gramolere.

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.

Blueberries and violets are at the forefront, with pepper spice, hints of anise and kirsch notes adding supporting layers. The juicy core offers approachability as well as balance.

Wild strawberries, redcurrant and bright red cherry notes exude from the glass whilst the chalky, tight knit tannins provide the perfect backbone. There is a concentration and accessibility on the palate creating a rather enticing Langhe Nebbiolo.

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.

Manuel’s Dolcetto is getting better every vintage thanks to pulling back somewhat on the opulence and tannin extraction. Expect bright violet and blue plum aromas with bramble fruits and crushed gravel. Tannins have a wonderful suppleness to them.

Aged in cement, the purity of fruit shines through in this wine. Strawberries, red plum and aniseed come to the fore, with clove spice and herbal notes taking a supporting role. The wine’s tannins have a lightness of touch and combine extremely well with the juicy palate.

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 a single vineyard from plots within the warmer amphitheatre parcels in Serralunga, this wine is more exuberant and richer in style compared to the traditional Barolo. Expect balsamic and savoury spice notes as well as more pomegranate and dried flowers on the finish.

2016 produced a large crop of exceptional quality, and 16,000 bottles of this new wine were produced. This is so pure, fine boned, and complex, with notes of balsamic and also a saline minerality. This will need time, but it’s clear why Aldo and his team are so excited about it.

The 2019 Barbaresco from Produttori del Barbaresco is a very special wine. Delicate and fine-boned, but with incredible intensity and purity, there’s talc-like tannins, and incredible energy here. This is a wine you should secure: a stunning bottling from a brilliant vintage.

This is very spicy and savoury, with fine-boned tannins, and a lovely sense of purity. There’s lots of minerality, and energy on the finish. There’s a savouriness, but also a texture and length. Just such a brilliant wine, particularly at this price.

The 2019 Barbaresco from Produttori del Barbaresco is a very special wine. Delicate and fine-boned, but with incredible intensity and purity, there’s talc-like tannins, and incredible energy here. This is a wine you should secure: a stunning bottling from a brilliant vintage.

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.

So mineral and deep, this balances a charming bitterness with lots of citrus fruit and also a core of very fresh fruit. This always reminds us of Negronis (in a very good way) and the 2017 is no different. Don’t be afraid to age this.

A tiny production white, made from 30+ year old Chardonnay from the Pira Vineyard, alongside a little white Nebbiolo. This is exotic and generous, with lots of texture and almond kernel on the finish.

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.

So mineral and deep, this balances a charming bitterness with lots of citrus fruit and also a core of very fresh fruit. This always reminds us of Negronis (in a very good way) and the 2017 is no different. Don’t be afraid to age this.

The largest parcel owned by the Roagna family, in front of the winery in Castiglione Faletto, the vines for this wine are between 25 and 50 years old. Castiglione Faletto is often considered the sweet spot for Barolo, and this has floral notes, wild citrus, and also a chalkiness to the tannins.

Made from Timorasso, that comes from Derthona, to the north-east of the Langhe, this is a stunning white from Luca, that balances generosity and power, and also a mineral texture. It’s a truly complex, ageworthy white from a talented winemaker.

From the Roagna’s famed site in Barbaresco, from vines that are over 50 years old on average, this is complex, delicious, and incredibly rare. Peppermint and rose, and also a core of exuberant fruit. A delight.

From the Roagna’s famed site in Barbaresco, from vines that are over 50 years old on average, this is complex, delicious, and incredibly rare. Peppermint and rose, and also a core of exuberant fruit. A delight.

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.

This comes from younger vines throughout the family’s vineyards, and is one of the best Rossos you’ll find. It also ages brilliantly, so don’t be afraid to bury a bottle or two at the bottom of the cellar

Rocche dell Annunziata is one of the great vineyards of La Morra, and this is a beautiful expression (at an outstanding price). There’s balsamic but also so much freshness and a suaveness to the fruit. Sophisticated tannins, and a long finish complete the picture. The silkiness here screams La Morra, and everything is in perfect balance.