This Week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous
Ferrando Vini
Black Label Etichetta Nera Nebbiolo di Carema 2015
The 2015 Carema Etichetta Nera is absolutely stellar. In many vintages, I prefer the Etichetta Bianca, but in 2015, the Etichetta Nera (Black Label) has an extra kick of freshness and body, while the oak is as well-balanced as I have ever seen in this bottling. All of that adds up to a Carema that is positively dazzling from the very first taste. Dark cherry, plum, spice, leather, menthol and licorice develop in the glass, but it is the wine's vertical energy and overall balance that leave the longest impression. This is a positively dazzling wine in every sense. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2020) — 4 years ago
Antoniolo
Osso San Grato Gattinara Nebbiolo 2013
The 2013 Gattinara Osso San Grato is a sinewy, tightly wound wine that captures the essence of what Nebbiolo here is all about. Dried cherry, mint, orange peel, rosewater, spice, dried flowers and wild red berry fruit emerge over time with some coaxing. There is plenty to look forward to in this very pretty and expressive wine. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2020)
— 4 years ago
Tiziano Mazzoni
Ghemme ai Livelli Nebbiolo 2013
The 2013 Ghemme Ai Livelli is a wine of real intrigue, especially in its aromatics. The Ai Livelli is not materially different from the Dei Mazzoni in 2013, although it does offer more aromatic intensity and overall structure. Sage, lavender, dried rose petal, mint and crushed red berries are all beautifully lifted. This is such a pretty wine. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2020)
— 4 years ago
Colombera & Garella
Cascina Cottionano Bramaterra Nebbiolo Blend 2016
The 2016 Bramaterra Cascina Cottignano is bold, ample and super-expressive, although it is going to need at least a few years in bottle to be at its best. Even today, though, the wine's depth and overall resonance are both apparent. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, rose petal and earthy notes all flesh out in this potent, exotically rich Bramaterra. The 2016 is flat-out gorgeous, that's pretty much all there is to it. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2020)
— 4 years ago
Cantina Ar.Pe.Pe.
Riserva Rocce Rosse Sassella Valtellina Superiore Nebbiolo 2007
The 2007 Valtellina Superiore Sassella Riserva Rocce Rosse is another superb wine from Ar.Pe.Pe. Four years in cask and several more in bottle - along with the personality of the year - yielded a relatively soft Valtellina Superiore with gentle contours and plenty of appeal. Readers who prefer wines with delineation and energy will find those qualities more expressed in some of the other wines in this range. The 2007 Rocce Rosse, on the other hand, is a relatively easygoing wine that can be enjoyed with minimal fanfare. It also appears to be on a relatively fast curve of aging. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2020)
— 4 years ago
Nino Negri
Le Tense Sassella Valtellina Superiore Nebbiolo 2015
The 2015 Valtellina Superiore Le Tense Sassella is racy and expansive on the palate. Hints of sweet tobacco, mint, licorice and macerated cherries all develop in the glass. The aromatics are so striking, but the 2015 will clearly benefit from a bit more time in bottle, which it needs to come together. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2020)
— 4 years ago
Ferrando Vini
Etichetta Bianca (White Label) Carema Nebbiolo 2015
The 2015 Carema Etichetta Bianca is such a gorgeous wine. Dried cherry, tobacco, licorice, spice, mint and dried flowers give the 2015 striking aromatic openness, but there is plenty of mineral-drenched tannic backbone that gives this wine its distinctive personality. Medium in body, taut and full of character, the 2015 hits all the right notes. It should also start drinking relatively early and age effortlessly for many years. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2020)
— 4 years ago
Boniperti Vignaioli
Favolalunga Vespolina 2016
The 2016 Favolalunga is very pretty. Sweet red cherry, mint, pine, crushed flowers and licorice are all very nicely lifted in this gracious mid-weight Vespolina from Boniperti. The 2016 is subtle, nuanced and very expressive. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2020)
— 4 years ago
Antoniolo
Gattinara Nebbiolo 2013
The 2013 Gattinara is a fabulous introduction to these wines. Beautifully lifted and medium in body, the 2013 is supremely elegant in every way. Crushed red berries, rose petals, mint, pine and wild flowers are waft out of the glass in this striking, super-expressive, entry-level Gattinara from the Antoniolo family. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2020) — 4 years ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2015 Spanna is another gorgeous value-priced wine in this range. Bright floral notes and sweet red berry fruit give the 2015 freshness and airiness to match its restrained light-bodied personality. Gracious and ethereal, Vallana's Spanna is a great introduction to the Vallana wines. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2020)
— 4 years ago