This wine is 100% organic Nebbiolo and is derived from two vineyards, with the majority being located in Montà (Roero) and the second in Scaparoni (Alba). Both have different soils, where the Scaparoni has a higher percentage of sand and silt than clay and tends to produce a more elegant wine. The Monta vineyard has a higher percentage of clay and produces a more structured wine. Together they’re a match made in heaven. The 2016 vintage can be considered as a great one in the Langhe. There was a very cool winter that led into a wet spring causing delays in the vegetative cycle of the vine and it stayed like that until the peak of summer. Without this delay, the maturities would have raced away because although 2016 wasn’t considered a hot one, it was consistently warm through August and September and that pushed the plants at a rapid pace until harvest.
Both these vineyards are in cool positions and I have harvested them now twice with each time, coming in a week after the Barolo and Barbaresco. The date of harvest was the 4thof October and the fruit was in seriously great condition. As with all my wines, the wine is made with gentle extraction and focus on the aromatics in preference to colour and tannin. I consider Nebbiolo D’Alba as a good indication of what Barolo and Barbaresco will be like from this year and with this wine there is intense fruit and structure. I love the aromatics in this wine due to the complexity, it’s not just fruit, it’s a mix of dried flowers and tar all classics for Nebbiolo. You can keep this wine for 15 years, but my preference would be that you drank it young and age the Barolo and Barbaresco from the same year. Enjoy.