2018 Nebbiolo, Barolo, Italy

Quintessential Barolo for the Barolo lover in all of us. Winemaker Alberto took over the family winery in 2012, now working alongside his sister Caterina, they have brought the estate back to its golden roots. Located in the commune of La Morra, in the heart of the reputable Barolo region, the seven hectare property includes up to 80-year-old plots. For the first time in this 2018 vintage, some of the grapes come from an historic family plot dubbed “Capalot”, usually only used for single vineyard Barolo (oh la la). This vintage is an outlier both from the prestigious vineyards and cooler year, crafting a wine with more finesse & slender tannins that charmed us silly.  Maceration and fermentation takes place over 15 days in tank, then malolactic occurs later in barrels and smoothes out the ruffles before the big 24 month nap in large cask. Upside down rose, smoking wood, dried cherry tobacco, sweet earth, big stones, anise & a faded leather deep end. Drink with a Sunday gravy driven meal. Gravy is the precious cargo, everything else is simply the vessel.