2015 Puligny-Montrachet “Les Chalumaux”Comtesse de Chérisey
France | Burgundy
$120
Producers
It’s hard to think of many young talents whose star is rising faster than Giulia Negri in Piedmont. Not only is she charismatic, but she also makes exceptionally graceful renditions of Nebbiolo from her domaine’s many different terroirs. This Barolo comes from Serradenari, the appellation’s highest cru. More specifically, it comes from Giulia’s sandiest parcel, which she says “was one of the first vineyards that showed me the terroir effect in Serradenari.” The result is an elegant, floral, and succulent Barolo that will age beautifully but is exquisite now, especially after half an hour in a decanter.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2015 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Nebbiolo |
Appellation: | Barolo |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Piedmont |
Producer: | Giulia Negri |
Vineyard: | 1 ha, planted in 2003 |
Soil: | Clay, Loam, Marl |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 14% |
Giulia Negri Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Giulia Negri Italy | Piedmont | Langhe
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto d’Alba
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | vino da tavola
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont | Langhe
Il Palazzotto Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba
In the heart of the Serradenari cru of La Morra—the highest point in the Barolo zone, with vineyards culminating at 536 meters above sea level—Giulia passionately pursues her goal of crafting Barolo with a Burgundian sensibility. In fact, she even inherited small parcels of Chardonnay and Pinot Nero that her father planted on the estate’s cooler, north-facing sites, allowing her to pay tribute to the great wines of the Côte d’Or through the lens of Piemontese soil.
But Nebbiolo reigns in these parts, and Serradenari yields a Barolo of regal pedigree. The elevation, coupled with a complex mosaic of soils unique to this part of the Langhe, sets the stage for Giulia to create Barolos marrying delicate floral aromas and elegant fruit with a deep mineral foundation. With fine-grained, tightly knit tannins, her seductive wines charm in their youth but have the structure for serious bottle aging.
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.
Giulia Negri Italy | Piedmont | Langhe
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto d’Alba
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barbera d’Alba
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont | Barbera d’Alba
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont | Langhe
Tenuta La Pergola Italy | Piedmont | Monferrato Rosso
Benevelli Piero Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Silvio Giamello Italy | Piedmont | Barbaresco
Bèrto Italy | Piedmont
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont | Moscato d'Asti
For the wines that I buy I insist that the winemaker leave them whole, intact. I go into the cellars now and select specific barrels or cuvées, and I request that they be bottled without stripping them with filters or other devices. This means that many of our wines will arrive with a smudge of sediment and will throw a more important deposit as time goes by, It also means the wine will taste better.
Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol
Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/bpa