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2012 Barolo “Ravera”

Benevelli Piero
Discount Eligible $54.00
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Massimo Benevelli, son of this Barolo estate’s founder, Piero, started working the vines when he was fourteen, as early in life he knew his calling. His parcel of the Ravera cru has been in the family for six generations. We’ve found that history like that often leads to great wine, and over the past few years, Massimo has delivered. His 2012 Barolo is right in line with the Benevelli style: smoky fruit, hints of herbs and forest floor, and firm structure make this a Barolo apt for a few years in the cellar. Decant for an hour or so if you can’t keep your hands off.

Clark Z. Terry


Technical Information
Wine Type: red
Vintage: 2012
Bottle Size: 750mL
Blend: Nebbiolo
Appellation: Barolo
Country: Italy
Region: Piedmont
Producer: Benevelli Piero
Winemaker: Massimo Benevelli
Vineyard: Planted in 1960, 2 ha
Soil: Grey and white marl
Aging: Aged in second-passage barriques for one year, then in 10-year-old oak botti (40 hL, 20 hL, and 15 hL) for 15 months, aged 8-10 months in bottle before release
Farming: Traditional
Alcohol: 14.5%

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About The Region

Piedmont

map of Piedmont

Kermit’s love affair with the great reds of Piemonte dates back to the early days of his career: the very first container he imported from Italy, in fact, featured legendary 1971 and 1974 Barolos from Vietti and Aldo Conterno. Regular visits since then have seen our portfolio grow to now twelve Piemontesi estates, with a strong focus on the rolling hills of the Langhe.

Nebbiolo rules these majestic, vine-covered marl slopes, giving Italy’s most mystifyingly complex, nuanced, and age-worthy reds. When crafted via traditional production methods—long macerations and extensive aging in enormous oak botti—the powerful, yet incredibly refined Barolos and Barbarescos provide haunting aromatics of tar, raspberry, incense, tea, roses, and more. At times austere in their youth but well worth the wait, they pair beautifully with the hearty local cuisine starring veal in many forms, braised beef, pastas like tajarin and agnolotti, and of course, Alba’s famous white truffles.

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Piemonte’s climate is continental, with baking hot summers and cold winters. Nebbiolo is only part of the story here: juicy, fruity Barberas and Dolcettos represent the bread and butter throughout the region, and other native grapes like Freisa, Croatina, and the white Arneis are also noteworthy. Value abounds in the Monferrato, while Alto Piemonte also has its share of thrills to provide.

Every corner of Piemonte is rich with tradition, especially when wine is concerned. It’s no wonder we have been singing the region’s praises for over forty years.

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Inspiring Thirst

I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.

Inspiring Thirst, page 171