Ferrando Vini
Etichetta Bianca (White Label) Carema Nebbiolo
Carema, Torino, Piedmont, Italy
Holy guacamole this is good! So pure and fresh. Alpine like! Herbs and bright red fruit. Why did I open this so young? Holy crap
Holy guacamole this is good! So pure and fresh. Alpine like! Herbs and bright red fruit. Why did I open this so young? Holy crap
Apr 22nd, 2022
A couple of weeks back, I opened a bottle of the 2017 that was supposed to be my first impression of the latest release. Ferrando’s Carema “Etichetta Bianca” is one of my favorite wines in Piemonte and, well, it was a false start. It was brown, tasted like it was 30 years old, full of secondary characteristics and lacking any of the elegance or structure I’ve come to expect from these wines year in and year out. The cork appeared to be perfect; not sure what happened. It was just, flat. So, I opened another one of my bottles this weekend to see if I was dealing with a much broader issue. Much to my delight, this bottle was proper.
Tonight, the wine poured a striking, garnet color with a transparent core and a slightly watery rim. No staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. The wine is intense, woodsy, and has the smell of strong BO, spicy but in a good way? Like someone put on a fancy cologne to cover the fact that they haven’t showered in a week. Weird…I know…but trust me. You’ll smell it and then you’ll like it. Red flowers, red fruits like dried cherries and porchini too. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Long finish. Dried cherries, exotic spices and dried herbs. Overall, I got the impression of a round but rustic wine; unique in a way I have come to expect from these wines over the years. I had a little bit left in the bottle that I held over until the next day and it became even more fresh on Day 2. Based off my experience, you can certainly open these now and enjoy with some patience but I think these will benefit from some time in the cellar. Next bottle after 2027.
A couple of weeks back, I opened a bottle of the 2017 that was supposed to be my first impression of the latest release. Ferrando’s Carema “Etichetta Bianca” is one of my favorite wines in Piemonte and, well, it was a false start. It was brown, tasted like it was 30 years old, full of secondary characteristics and lacking any of the elegance or structure I’ve come to expect from these wines year in and year out. The cork appeared to be perfect; not sure what happened. It was just, flat. So, I opened another one of my bottles this weekend to see if I was dealing with a much broader issue. Much to my delight, this bottle was proper.
Tonight, the wine poured a striking, garnet color with a transparent core and a slightly watery rim. No staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. The wine is intense, woodsy, and has the smell of strong BO, spicy but in a good way? Like someone put on a fancy cologne to cover the fact that they haven’t showered in a week. Weird…I know…but trust me. You’ll smell it and then you’ll like it. Red flowers, red fruits like dried cherries and porchini too. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Long finish. Dried cherries, exotic spices and dried herbs. Overall, I got the impression of a round but rustic wine; unique in a way I have come to expect from these wines over the years. I had a little bit left in the bottle that I held over until the next day and it became even more fresh on Day 2. Based off my experience, you can certainly open these now and enjoy with some patience but I think these will benefit from some time in the cellar. Next bottle after 2027.
Called 90s Barolo. Looks at that color!
Called 90s Barolo. Looks at that color!
Nov 18th, 2024
Herbs, roses, cherry fruit, tons of mineral complexity and a backbone of asphalt and coal. Amazing.
Herbs, roses, cherry fruit, tons of mineral complexity and a backbone of asphalt and coal. Amazing.
Oct 17th, 2024
Loved this. Had it w succession opening night. Light
Loved this. Had it w succession opening night. Light
Mar 27th, 2023
First time having, glad to do so. Quite an interesting expression of nebbiolo. Somewhat feral, without being heavy or overbearing. Light red fruit, with some heavy dead flowers notes. Excellent acid, freshness, and length. Would be great to try in another five years, but still quite delicious. Great pairing with lamb chops.
First time having, glad to do so. Quite an interesting expression of nebbiolo. Somewhat feral, without being heavy or overbearing. Light red fruit, with some heavy dead flowers notes. Excellent acid, freshness, and length. Would be great to try in another five years, but still quite delicious. Great pairing with lamb chops.
Mar 19th, 2022