Overview
'The King of Italian Wines'. 100% Nebbiolo from the Langhe hills. Two styles war here: the traditionalist (long maceration, large Slavonian oak, 20-year minimum before peak) versus the modernist (shorter maceration, French barriques, earlier accessibility). Both produce wines of towering complexity.
In The Glass
- Colour
- Medium garnet
- Nose
- Dried rose, Tar, Cherry, Tar and Tobacco.
- Palate
- King of Italian wines — Rose, tar, iron; built for decades. Generally very full-bodied, crisp acidity, grippy tannins, dry, with a very long finish.
Tasting Profile
Body Very Full5/5
Tannins Grippy5/5
Acidity Crisp4/5
Sweetness Bone Dry1/5
Alcohol High4/5
Grapes
Nebbiolo
Aromas And Notes
Dried roseTarCherryPlumPomegranateTarTobaccoLicoriceIronRoseVioletTruffleLeatherGame
Terroir
Continental with Alpine influence — cold winters, hot summers, frequent autumn fog (nebbia = fog).
Tortonian marl-limestone (Serralunga)Helvetian calcareous clay (La Morra)
Food Pairings
White truffleBrasato al BaroloTajarin with truffleCastelmagno cheese
Notable Producers
- Giacomo Conterno, founded 1900 - Barolo Monfortino Riserva
- Bruno Giacosa, founded 1961 - Barolo Falletto di Serralunga
- Angelo Gaja, founded 1859 - Sperss Langhe Nebbiolo