Nebbiolo You Can Drink Now
by Anthony Lynch
2018 Barolo “Vigna Lazzairasco”
Italy | Piedmont
A steep, imposing amphitheater sloping up toward the hilltop fortress of Serralunga d’Alba, the Lazzairasco vineyard is the source of some of Guido Porro’s most complex and long-lived wines. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them right away, as is the case with this latest release from the excellent 2018 vintage. Its tannins are already delightfully supple and its fragrant bouquet leaves nothing more to be desired, offering gorgeous aromas of orange zest, faded roses, and a hint of cinnamon stick. Guido is a man of few words, and when I asked his thoughts on the 2018 Lazzairasco, he declared stoically that he considered it a buona annata. I pushed on, inquiring how it compares to other highly acclaimed years such as 2016 and 2019. He simply shrugged. “Those were also buone annate.”
2019 Barbaresco
Italy | Piedmont
If you’ve searched for—and found—incredible Italian values in our shop, chances are you have drunk one of Marco Tintero’s creations. Marco—the bon vivant pictured on this month’s cover—excels in the “weeknight” category with his festive whites, reds, and rosato, but he also exhibits mastery of Piemonte’s more prestigious appellations. This release marks a breakthrough for his Barbaresco, a wine he produces in tiny batches each year from the famous crus Balluri and Bricco di Neive. It is a Barbaresco you can dig into right away, full of sumptuous dark berry fruit with spicy hints of clove and a strikingly elegant finish. No cellaring necessary, but a good decant will go a long way.