North East Piedmont, Maryland

Aldo e Riccardo Seghesio

La Villa Barolo Nebbiolo 2015

Served to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine appears a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with ripe bramble fruits: a mix of blackberries and raspberries with Morello cherry, roses, tar, talcum powder, dried herbs, and gravelly soil. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and delicious. Alcohol is medium+. Initial conclusions: this could be Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir or Grenache from Italy or France. Because of the high tannin and talcum powder/tar/roses combo (and the utter lack of staining), my final conclusion is: Nebbiolo; from Italy; from Piemonte; Barolo…from Monforte d’Alba. I chose 2016 because it shows good great balance of structure and fruit. Ooooof…that was too close.

“La Villa” is Fratelli Seghesio’s most precious wine and until now, I can only ever recall drinking their Barolo “classico” and Barbera d’Alba and only on a few occasions. Believe it or not, “La Villa” is the oldest, single MGA bottling from any producer in Castelletto. The name “La Villa” is an old name for an area within Castelletto when it was once a commune all to itself. The distinguishing feature of “La Villa” is the eponymous ridge that runs perpendicular with Collaretto and Vigna Rionda to the east, across the stream of Talloria di Castiglione. The vines facing south are dedicated to their Nebbiolo while the vines facing north are predominately Barbera and Dolcetto. A very tasty Barolo. Drink now through 2035.
— 3 months ago

Brian, Jan and 6 others liked this

Clendenen Family Vineyards

The Pip Santa Maria Valley Nebbiolo 2014

#Nebbiolo is a surprisingly rare grape. Even in its native Piedmont, it accounts for only 8% of vineyard land. There are fewer than 100 hectares planted in the United States. 🕵️‍♂️🍇
Over 80% of prewar Italian immigrants came from Sicily and Southern Italy. Piedmont was the wealthiest and most politically dominant region. But if fortunes were reversed, could Nebbiolo have taken Primitivo/Zinfandel’s place as a grape relatively uncommon on the boot but dominant in California? 🤔🇮🇹🇺🇸
Probably not. The Nebbiolo vine is *not* for beginners. It flowers early and ripens late, making it susceptible to both spring and autumn frosts. It loves the occasional fog bath (some say the name is derived from ‘nebbia’, Italian for fog ☁️☁️☁️) but is prone to the mildew that may result from such humid conditions. Its fussiness would make Pinot Noir blush: it demands southwesterly exposure, a proper gradient, constant sun above, and fog licking at its toes.
#diva
Sound anything like California’s Central Coast? 🌅
In the Santa Maria Valley, where the East-West Transverse Range bends back into the North-South Coastal Range, it’s possible. Vineyard selection still requires extreme discretion - an eye like @JimClendenen’s, perhaps.
Jim began the Nebbiolo program at the legendary
#BienNacido vineyard in 1994. Production is small, but if you track down his “The Pip” Nebbiolo, it will only run you about $30. You’ll believe anything is possible when you have real California Nebbiolo of this quality come wafting out of the glass at you! 🙌🙌
🏞.“The Pip” is named after Jim’s old cellar dog Pip, a border collie. So it only seemed right to include one of our own pips! 🐈
— 5 years ago

Black Ankle Vineyards

Crumbling Rock Red Blend 2019

We loved this one at their vineyard! — 3 years ago

Kelly Fidler
with Kelly

Harford Vineyard and Winery

Vintage Vidal Blanc

Non vintage but purchased in early 2018. Petrol and pear on the nose. Full bodied and dry with lychee fruit and slight pineapple. — 4 years ago

Black Ankle Vineyards

Leaf-Stone Syrah 2012

Aging beautifully! Still loads of currant and lavender. Add a touch of iodine and some more black fruit, mix with lean tannins and fine acidity. Here is to Maryland wines! — 6 years ago

William, Velma and 9 others liked this
James Cahill

James Cahill

I’ve enjoyed this wine as well. Thoughtful winemaking here.

DeJon Vineyards

Hydes Malbec

Got to taste all of this companies wine. So good — 7 years ago

Black Ankle Vineyards

Passeggiata X Frederick County Syrah Blend 2019

Definitely like...fruity with right level of dryness — 4 years ago

Castagna

Genesis Beechworth Syrah 2010

Classy Beechworth fruit with a distinctly herbaceous character. Nose is deep complex fruit with a big dose of barnyard funk and menthol. Palate is Med bodied, with brambly fruit and eucalyptus notes. Quite a stemmy character. Reminds me of Piedmont in body, elegance, and tannic grip. Still lots of life ahead. Good balance. — 4 years ago

Scott liked this

Le Piane

Vino Rosso Red Blend 2011

On a Magnum bottle tried vintage 2011.
Very nice discovery from a not very known appellation north east of Piedmont. BOCA
— 7 years ago

Ira and Freek liked this

Black Ankle Vineyards

Frederick County Syrah 2014

2014. Good job, Maryland. Smoke, hay, corn husk. Also this place sells Polish Pottery. — 7 years ago

Turd FergusonDave WismerJo Anne B
with Turd, Dave and 1 other
Eric, Greg and 12 others liked this