Piedmont, Italy 13.5% Cork $59 Source: Retail
I’m doing a Piedmont masterclass this week, which is great as I really can’t afford to explore the area properly on my wages. When you can’t afford a Barolo I reckon this makes a more than decent substitute. It’s got rose petals and it’s got tar. What more do you want? Well, a lot more actually, as that caricature just doesn’t do these wines any real justice.
So yes, it smells of rose petals, cherries, bay leaf and tar. There’s some darker fruit providing extra intensity on the mid palate but the finish is all savoury with bay leaves, oregano, spice and orange peel. The tannins are quite magnificent, starting off chewy then taking on a melting wax type dimension. Heaps and heaps of length and depth here. It’s my second bottle in 2 weeks, so it’s safe to say I’m hooked.
Winery website- Vietti Wines (translation)
It's one of my major wine frustrations that I can't afford to buy Barolo with any sort of regularity. Knowing that you can buy beautiful Barolo for about 25 Euro when you are in Piedmont doesn't help either!
This does sound like a good'un. More evidence of 2006 being a pretty good vintage there as well.
Frustrating isn't it? And yes, 2006 seems to be a Barolo et al vintage worth gathering as much of as you can afford…
Cheers
j