Piedmont Wine

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

Vinous 91 Points | The 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo Botti is a classy, elegant wine. Crushed flowers, kirsch, orange peel, cinnamon and cedar are some of the many notes that open in the glass. There's gorgeous energy and delineation here. All the elements are so well balanced. This entry-level offering delivers the goods.

The Wine Spectator 90 Points | A pretty red, this features raspberry, cherry, rose and mineral flavors aligned with an elegant frame. Though airy and bright, this is intense, with its fruit builing to the long aftertaste. Shows fine harmony.

Winemaker Description 

Pecchenino winery is managed in a sustainable fashion: Orlando is convinced that the quality of his wine is strictly related to the natural health of his vineyard.

His main objective is that of growing the best possible grapes with the lowest possible impact on nature. In the vineyards, he opts for organic compost and avoids the use of any chemical products for weed or pest control; his treatments in the vineyards are all natural unless it becomes absolutely necessary.

Expert Review - Vintage 2024 

The Wine Enthusiast by Jeff Porter writes 93 Points | A stunning wine from a vastly underrated region, this wine opens with vibrant orchard fruits and cascading spring blossoms, creating a seductive aromatic cloud that pulls you into the glass. The dynamic palate dazzles with tart fruit, almond skin, and peach stone complexity, while fresh herbs add layers of intrigue. This brilliant Gavi captures both immediate pleasure and serious aging potential. Drink Now - 2035.

Winemaker Description 

Color  is straw yellow, with slight greenish hints. Offers a particularly fine mineral feeling and notes of fruit and white flowers. Mouthfeel is lively, balanced, with a fresh acidity, which increases its persistance and favours its drinkability.

A slight almondish finish.

Perfect pairing - Excellent as aperitif, paired with hors d’oeuvres and fish ragú or vegetable first courses. It is the perfect match also for seafood.

The vineyard's soil at La Raia is calcareous and clayey, it's approximately 400 metres above sea level with a south-east and south-west exposure. The vineyards surround the cellar, with an average density of 4500 plants per hectare. In accordance with the farm’s core philosophy and in line with the biodynamic principles, the vines are farmed without the use of any chemicals.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Advocate by Monica Larner writes 95+ Points | This wine gives us our first taste of the epic 2021 vintage from a producer as prolific as Produttori del Barbaresco. Bottled in April 2024, this vintage shows the immense power and complexity that likens it to 2016, another year for collectors. The 2021 Barbaresco offers medium-rich density that is transmitted both to the wine's appearance and its mouthfeel. There is black fruit, spice and a touch of nutmeg. However, the wine maintains its youthful tension and energy throughout. The tannins are chalky, fine and void of any bitterness. This is a classical expression of Nebbiolo that gives us good reason to be excited for the upcoming 2021 Barbaresco Riservas. 

Winemaker Descripption

Classic Barbaresco color with scents of spices, pepper and black cherries. Powerful, firm, elegant and ethereal.

Pair with fresh pasta, meat dishes, particularly lamb and feathered game and mild cheeses.

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

Vinous 90 Points | The 2023 Barbera d'Asti Ca' di Pian is soft, supple and delicious. A burst of blueberry, black cherry, spice, lavender, menthol and chocolate gives the 2023 tons of immediacy and sheer appeal. This is an especially fine edition of La Spinetta's entry-level Barbera. Best of all, this is a terrific value."

Winemaker Description 

Cà di Pian is a Barbera with an unmistakable character. There are intense aromas of blackberry and morello cherries. This wine is truly captivating, yet it remains fresh and extremely versatile. 

Memo Summary Notes

La Spinetta Barbera d'Asti Superiore "Ca' di Pian" 2023 is a red wine from Piedmont with great character, produced with 100% Barbera grapes from vineyards in Castagnole delle Lanze and Costigliole d'Asti. The 2023 vintage confirms the winery's commitment to organic farming and the unmistakable style of Giorgio Rivetti.

Pairing suggestions: Extremely versatile. It pairs perfectly with appetizers of cured meats and soft cheeses, first courses with meat sauces (such as Piedmontese agnolotti), roast veal, and grilled meats.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 91 Points | Spicy ripe berries, chocolate and hints of walnuts and dry soil. Medium-bodied with vivid, fleshy fruit, framed with firm, dusty tannins. Focused and tense

Winemaker Description

This wine's ripe, dark-skinned fruit, culinary spice and new leather scents lead the way, along with a menthol note. The firmly structured, chewy palate offers dried Morello cherry, raspberry jam, licorice and espresso flavors alongside fine-grained tannins. Pair with pasta and beans, risotto with porcini mushrooms, chicken chasseur. 

Winemaker Description

A wonderfully food-friendly Barbera. Ruby red and medium bodied with light cherry fruit and great acidity. A wonderfully food-friendly Barbera from one of our favorite producers in Piedmont.  Ruby red and medium bodied with light cherry fruit and great acidity. Lovingly made from organically grown grapes.

Tabaren (from the French "tabarin") was a venue used for theatre plays, art and dancing. We are all better dancers after a couple of glasses of wine.

Winemaker Description

Ruby red color with mineral and vanilla notes. his Barbera is very well balanced, with a good complexity and a red cherry finish.

Goes well with appetizers, rich salads, grilled seasonal vegetables, soups, stews, pasta, veal, pork, chicken with light sauces.

Memo Summary Notes

The Vietti Barbera d'Asti Tre Vigne 2023 is a quintessential "food wine" from the Piedmont region of Italy. Known for its bright energy and accessibility, this vintage continues Vietti's reputation for high-quality Barbera that punches well above its price point.

Because of its high acidity and moderate tannins, this wine is incredibly versatile:

• Classic Italian: Pasta with tomato-based sauces, lasagna, or mushroom risotto.

• Meats: Roasted chicken, veal, or grilled pork sausages.

• Casual: It is one of the best wines for a simple margherita pizza or a charcuterie board with aged cheeses.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Michaela Morris of Decanter Magazine (93 Points) writes:  Evocatively scented with wild red berries and touches of vanillin and spice. An underlying dark earthiness pervades throughout. Fine tannins increase steadily across the palate, as does a richness of raspberry fruit. But all is in harmony. Hints of tea, then a huge hit of citrus lead to the savoury, mouth-cleansing finish. While rooted in the village of La Morra, the Oddero estate boasts impressive vineyard holdings throughout the entirety of the denomination, making for an impressive range of Barolo. The ‘classic’ bottling incorporates younger vines, mostly from sites in La Morra as well as Bricco Fiasco in Castiglione Falletto. Gorgeously approachable now but will keep evolving. 

Antonio Galloni  of Vinous (92 Points) writes:  The 2021 Barolo is fabulous. Aromatic, pliant and wonderfully inviting. Oddero's Barolo shows just how appealing this vintage is. Crushed flowers, red/blue-toned fruit, spice and perfumed notes build nicely in the glass. Polished, silky tannins wrap it all together in style. Vineyard sources are Bricco Chiesa, Capalot, Bricco Fiasco and a bit of Galina.  

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

James Suckling 96 Points | This is very powerful and structured, with aromas of black truffles, graphite and hints of dried thyme and cedar. Medium- to full-bodied and chewy yet polished. Hints of terra cotta and dark fruit. The finish goes on and on. 

The Wine Advocate 94 Points | The Pio Cesare 2021 Barolo draws fruit from various sites, and like the Barbaresco, you get an excellent portrait of the vintage with balanced acidity, firm tannins and bright primary fruit. There is energy and vitality in this pretty Barolo with dried cherry, iris and subtle dustings of iron ore or rust.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Displaying a deeper red color with more pigment, the 2021 Barolo Pio is more layered, savory, and noble in its feel all around and opens to notes of fresh cherries, licorice, lifted clove spice, and forest herbs. It shows a good deal of intensity on the palate, with firm, structured tannins, and while it’s medium-bodied, it feels more expansive and has mineral drive. It demands a bit of cellaring but will drink well over the next 15-20 years.

Winemaker Description 

A traditional vintage delivering fresh fruits and beautiful aromas, with great structure and complexity, intense color and a balanced acidity, already approachable with its gentle tannins—all the classic components of the great vintages of Barolo. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

James Suckling 93 Points | A fresh and crunchy white with light lemons, mangoes and bitter limes. It’s medium- to full-bodied with lots of fruit. The hot growing season comes through, but it remains fresh at the end.

The Wine Advocate Points | The Bruno Giacosa 2023 Roero Arneis will be a smaller release due to fruit that was damaged during a hailstorm the first week of July. Nonetheless, this wine remains salty, mineral-driven and bright with citrus and white peach. It is executed in stainless steel only. Perhaps this vintage is a little thinner in terms of mouthfeel, but it draws to a close with lingering acidity.

Winemaker Description 

Intense straw colored with greenish glints. The nose presents lemon, pineapple, peach and apricot notes with floral hints. On the palate, it is fresh, full-bodied, with mineral notes and a persistent finish.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2023

The Wine Spectator 91 Points | A smooth version, revealing cherry, raspberry, rose and mineral flavors. An astringent feel emerges midpalate, yet this red remains long and pure. Drink now through 2032.

Vinous 90 Points | The 2023 Barbera d'Alba is a boisterous, juicy wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Vinification and aging in a combination of cement and steel keeps the red-toned fruit wonderfully vibrant. Lifted floral notes linger on the close.

Winemaker Descrption

Deep purplish, almost impenetrable red. Elegant, sweet, and tempting, the intense and fruity notes characteristic of Barbera emerge. Vinous, fresh, and well-balanced. An easy to drink wine which is tasty and rich without being excessively heavy.

Perfect with Langhe cuisine and very tasty dishes in general. Excellent with pasts, rice, and soup, braised or grilled red meats, and medium mature cheeses. It is also perfect for aperitifs, with appetizers and sliced meats. Winemaker Description. 

Memo Pairing Suggestions

Food Pairings: Highly versatile for "everyday" dining. Pairs perfectly with Langhe cuisine (tajarin with ragù), roasted chicken, grilled red meats, and medium-aged cheeses. It is also a rare red that works well as an aperitif with cured meats.

Winemaker Description 

Elegant and intense, with notes of fresh mature red fruit, such as cherry and currant. 
Michele Chiarlo captures the essence of Piedmont, one of the most incredible wine regions in Italy and in the world. Le Orme is a classic Barbera d’Asti wine. It is the flagship wine of Michele Chiarlo, and its name translates as “the footsteps” or “legacy”.

Le Orme is an expression of all four Michele Chiarlo Barbera estates in the Nizza area, including the iconic La Court estate. The Barbera grapes grow in light-colored soils called Astian - meaning from Asti - sands that are rich in lime and microelements. Temperature controlled fermentation, including 10 days of maceration on the skins, in stainless steel tanks yields the dark, rich color that is typical of great Barbera wines. The wine is aged in large French oak casks for 3 months then rests in stainless steel and in bottle before release for a total of 16 months aging.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2023

The Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | Here’s Dolcetto flexing all tis muscles. Dark purple fruits hit first, then a crack of black pepper wakes up your senses. Violets drift above it all, adding complexity without getting precious. The structure means business but doesn’t forget Dolcetto’s friendly side.  This is the wine showing you why it deserves more attention, serious enough for wine geeks but fun enough for everyone else. (Best Buy)

The Wine Spectator 89 Points | Ripe and bursting with boysenberry, raspberry, violet and sweet spice flavors, this is dense and backed by gripping tannins on the finish. Balanced with succulent acidity.

Winemaker Description 

The Pecchenino "San Luigi" Dogliani Superiore is a distinguished example of Dolcetto, known for its depth and rich flavor profile. It features a well-structured profile with vibrant acidity and a smooth, elegant finish. Produced by Pecchenino, a notable estate in the Dogliani region, the winery is celebrated for its dedication to quality and traditional winemaking techniques.

This Superiore, crafted from carefully selected Dolcetto grapes, offers a complex array of flavors including ripe dark fruit, subtle spice, and a hint of earthiness. It pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes such as pasta, grilled meats, and savory cheeses, making it a versatile choice for both everyday enjoyment and special occasions.

Warehouse stored item - please allow two to five business days to fulfill.

James Suckling 95 Points | A fine-tuned, elegant Barolo with aromas of dried cherries, dried roses, licorice and mint. Full-bodied, it shows smoothness, density, weight and soft tannins despite the structure, with refreshing acidity and a long, vibrant finish full of savory flavors. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

Jeff Porter of the Wine Enthusiast writes 91 Points | Roasted cherries, warmed clove and star anise aromas waft from the glass as dried floral hints and wild thyme rise as the wine opens. Mouthfilling with loads of mixed wild berries fresh, dried and preserved all combined with oak spice finishing with subtle earth and superfine tannins. Drink now–2040. 

Bruce Sanderson of the Wine Spectator writes 91 Points | A dense, compact red marked by plum, cherry, leather, forest floor and tar aromas and flavors. Well-balanced and lingers on the finish, where chalky tannins leave their impression. Best from 2027 through 2042. 

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins, 67 Wine Buyer, writes: Good varietal expression in this 2018 Barbaresco, with delicate aromas of spiced plums, rose petals, violets, strawberry blossoms, cinnamon, nutmeg and saddle leather. Medium bodied in the mouth with savory complexity and supple tannins that carry through the finish. A perfect wine for stews and slow roasted wild game, as well as hearty pasta and strong cheese.

Expert Review - 2018 

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points: Penetrating aromas of warmed cherries soaked with cinnamon, clove and anise that develop into dried rose petals, forest floor. The palate has a core of savory spice wrapped around drying wild red berries and Alpine herbs framed by well-placed tannins and electric acidity. A wine worthy of the cellar. Drink now–2040.

Vinous 92 Points: The 2018 Barbaresco from La Ganghija is a bold, pungent Treiso Barbaresco. Wild cherry, spice, leather, tobacco and menthol are front and center in this wild, pleasantly rustic Barbaresco. There is certainly plenty of character here. Readers should expect an austere style, though.

Winemaker Notes

Winemaker Description

The 2024 Langhe Nascetta Del Comune Di Novello Anascëtta offers a vibrant, distinctive nose with notes of yellow fruit, jasmine, citrus, ginger, and thyme. On the palate, it’s fresh and precise with a long, saline finish that balances energy and elegance.

Elvio Cogno showcases the Nascetta grape, highlighting its revival in Piedmont. This wine presents a complex array of white flowers, citrus, and mineral notes, balancing vibrant acidity with rich texture.

It underscores Elvio Cogno’s commitment to promoting indigenous varietals, offering a structured, expressive white that reflects the unique Novello terroir and the varietal’s aging potential.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Kerin O'Keefe writes 97 Points | The compelling 2020 Monvigliero from Paolo Scavino has intense aromas recalling blue flower, ripe berry, dried mint and new leather. Full-bodied and enveloping, it shows structure, concentration and elegance in the form of fleshy cherry, crushed strawberry, blood orange and licorice before closing on a mentholated note. Velvety tannins provide taut support and texture. It's utterly delicious.

James Suckling 96 Points | Harmonious, well-structure and layered. The nose shows aromas of wild strawberries, sour cherries, dried herbs, crushed stones and flowers. It's medium- to full-bodied with finely grained tannins, yet it is still firm at this stage supported by fresh acidity. Precise with a dense but juicy texture and harmonious structure. Long finish.

Wine Enthusiast 96 Points | Deep and mysterious, this Barolo initially presents a dark, brooding character that gradually reveals its true potential. Layers of ripe red cherries, juicy plums and blackberries emerge on the palate, accompanied by hints of licorice, tobacco and earthy truffle. Robust, well-structured tannins provide a firm backbone, promising a long and rewarding journey ahead. Patience will be richly rewarded.

"The Wine Spectator 94 Points | A darker expression of Barolo in 2020, featuring black cherry and black currant fruit, earth, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors. Dense and even slightly brooding, with burly tannins guarding the long finish. Less expressive than its peers at this stage yet promising.

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | Coming from an esteemed site in Verduno, the 2020 Barolo Monvigliero is a dark ruby hue and opens to notes of ripe black raspberries, grenadine, candied roses, sweet soil, and fresh sage. Medium-bodied, it's rounded and approachable up front before revealing ripe tannins and a savory saline finish with notes of fresh orange. It is another impressive and highly refined wine from the Scavino family to drink over the coming 15-20 years.

Winemaker Description 

This Barolo comes from the stately Monvigliero vineyard, that can properly  be considered the “grand cru” of the village Verduno. This cru was first vinified in 2000 vintage and blended into generic Barolo until the 2007 vintage when this vineyard has been bought by the Scavino family and bottled as a single cru.
Great finesse and aromatic complexity, distinctly floral spicy, savory, balsamic in its expression. The nose is vivid and multilayered. The texture is precise. An extremely elegant cru, feminine and full of character.

Winemaker Description 

Given Oddero's staggering 35 hectares worth of Nebbiolo di Barolo, the estate has historically sold off a portion of its production in bulk, reserving the best-exposed sites in the best spots for its Barolo “Tradizionale”. In exceptional vintages, however, they now bottle a second Barolo for us, mainly from parcels in La Morra.

They named it “Convento”—a nod to the fact that their estate was a convent in the early 17th c. It is vinified and aged just like their Barolo “Tradizionale”: natural fermentation in stainless steel with a 25-day maceration, followed by two years in large Slavonian-oak casks.

Convento emphasizes purity of fruit over structure, with a lifted mineral streak of lovely clarity. That said, it is still very much a traditional Barolo in the style of Oddero, bearing no trace of oak aromatics or wood tannins, and with a perfume simultaneously ethereal and savory.

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins of 67Wine.com writes | The ruby-garnet colored 2017 Barolo has a classic textbook Nebbiolo bouquet, with perfumed aromas of earthy plums, violets, tar, leather, tobacco and balsamic spice. Medium bodied with multi-layered complexity and a sumptuous delicacy that brings about a sensuous mouthfeel. Good acidity and supple tannins bring harmony and balance to the lasting finish.

Producer Description 

Tasting Notes: Color: Garnet red. Nose: Very intense, elegant, fruity. Palate: Dry, austere, warm, tannic, fresh, intense, with good persistence.

The Grasso family has been producing wine since 1927; Federico Grasso started bottling in 1980, and has "produced a bevy of sensational efforts over recent vintages" (Robert Parker). His sophisticated, modern Barolos are particularly notable for avoiding excessive wood aromas; to this end, Grasso prefers to use large barrels rather than barriques for maturation, and uses less than 30% new wood even on his single-vineyard bottlings.

Expert Review - Vintage 2024

James Suckling 91 Points | Raspberries and raw mushrooms on the nose of this medium-bodied red. It's earthy and fresh with a medium body and lightly chalky tannins. 

Winemaker Description

Rich, silky, velvety, soft and with smooth tannins. Fruity notes of cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and ripe tomato. Floral notes reminiscent of rose petal and violet. Serve with Boeuf Bourginon, roast beef, and braised lamb. 

Memo Summary Notes

The Monte Degli Angeli Pinot Noir Monferrato Piedmont 2024 is a notable find, especially for those looking for a high-quality, "budget-friendly" Italian red.

While Piedmont is most famous for its bold Nebbiolo-based wines like Barolo, this Pinot Noir (often labeled as Pinot Nero in Italy) is highly regarded for its elegance and approachability at a low price point.

Pair with

• Meats: Roast beef, braised lamb, or classic Boeuf Bourguignon.

• Vegetarian: Wild mushroom risotto, truffle-infused pasta, or butternut squash ravioli with sage.

• Cheese: Works well with soft, creamy cheeses like Brie or mild goat cheese.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Vinous 91 Points | The 2022 Barbaresco is a fine entry-level offering from Giacosa. This perfumed, mid-weight Barbaresco is all charm. Crushed flowers, bright red fruit, blood orange, spice and mint open first. Silky, polished tannins give this pliant, alluring Barbaresco tons of character. A delight.

Memo Summary Notes

Carlo Giacosa is a fourth-generation family estate in the heart of Barbaresco. 

Winemaker Description 

Moscato d’Asti D.O.C.G Grape variety: Moscato 100%

A bright straw-yellow color with slightly shimmering hints of gold. Intense aromas of ripe yellow fruit (peach, apricot), floral notes (rose petals, acacia flowers) and ginger. Sweet and delicate on the palate, with modest acidity, good balance and complexity.

Hints of fresh apricot on the finish.r

Sourced from small vineyards in Castiglione Tinella, with 4,500 plants per hectare. The vines, cultivated with the Guyot-system have an average age of 40 years.

Limestone- and clay-rich soil.

A percentage of around 5.5% alcohol by volume is reached, the temperature is quickly reduced to stop the fermentation.

The wine, which is only partially fermented, is then filtered. The wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation and is bottled using sterile filtration.

Winemaker Description 

Arneis produces a lightly styled white wine with beautiful straw yellow colour. Citrus edged orchard fruits, pear and apricot are attractive on the palate with slightly bitter floral note that can resemble almonds. L'azienda Brovia is a traditional Piemontese family wine growing estate in Castiglione Falletto, in the heart of Barolo country. The wine is appreciated for its refined elegance.

The sole white wine of the estate is produced in the Roero district from an 0.80 hectare plot in Vezza d’Alba. The soil is essentially sandy in composition and sits at 340 meters altitude on south-facing slopes. The vineyard was planted in 1980. Harvest (manual) normally occurs in mid-September.

The grapes are briefly macerated and the fermentation occurs at controlled temperatures (around 15 degrees Celsius) for two to three weeks. The wine rests in stainless steel until the early spring months of the following year and is usually released to the market, after several months of bottle aging, in late summer/early fall.

Approximately 4500 bottles are produced annually, 3,000 of which are shipped to the USA. 

Memo Pairing Notes

This Arneis is incredibly versatile. Its freshness and body make it a perfect match for:

• Raw and Cooked Seafood: Oysters, raw tuna, grilled octopus, and white fish.

• Vegetable Dishes: Vegetable-based pasta, light risottos, or asparagus.

• Cured Meats & Cheese: Light ham or salami, and fresh, milky cheeses like Burrata or soft goat cheese.

Winemaker Description

This lightly effervescent wine has a moderate crimson reflection with delicate floral fragrance of honeysuckle and raspberry aromas.

Bottled by V.E.C.A.M. (Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano).

The sweet palate of strawberries and melon make this a wonderful wine for desserts and fruits or simply for enjoying it on its own.

Aromatic sweet sparkling wine. Estate bottled. Product of Italy.