Notify me
2017 Barolo “Le Coste di Monforte”
Benevelli PieroFor six generations, Massimo Benevelli’s family has farmed the steep hillsides in southeastern Barolo. Massimo, now forty-one, has worked among its vines since he was fourteen, and he knows exactly how to translate this distinctive terroir, which produces wines with the structure and concentration that epitomize great Barolo from Monforte. None of the soul has been buffed out, but notes of black cherries, forest floor, and blood orange emerge even more polished than usual. Truly phenomenal.
—Tom Wolf
Michael Butler's Pick
Benevelli makes classic Barolo and this vintage exhibits the aromas and flavors of tar, roses, and hints of raspberry and cherry. Delicious.
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Nebbiolo |
Appellation: | Barolo |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Piedmont |
Producer: | Benevelli Piero |
Winemaker: | Massimo Benevelli |
Vineyard: | 22 years average, 2.5 ha |
Soil: | Blue, grey marl |
Aging: | Aged 1 year in 8-year-old 225-L barrels, then a second year in 10-year-old 40-HL Slavonian oak botti |
Farming: | Traditional |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Dolcetto d’Alba “La Costa”
Italy | Piedmont
Bone-dry and tangy, with brambly black fruit and a bold, old-school Italian bite.
2018 Barolo “Vigna Santa Caterina”
Italy | Piedmont
Drink Later: Both succulent and structured, this Barolo bursts with explosive aromas and flavors of black cherries, rose petals, black tea, and spices.
2019 Barolo “Le Coste di Monforte”
Italy | Piedmont
While charming now, Le Coste di Monforte will reward you for many years to come.
2019 Barolo “Mosconi”
Italy | Piedmont
One of the most prestigious vineyard sites in his village of Monforte d’Alba, if not all of Barolo.
Vermouth Extra Secco
Italy | Piedmont
You’re going to bring your martini game to a whole ’nother level with this dry Piedmontese Vermouth.
2022 Langhe Freisa “alla mia Gioia”
Italy | Piedmont
Massimo produces this delicious sparkling Freisa for his family’s consumption, but once we tasted one, we insisted on scoring some.
2018 Barolo “Le Coste di Monforte”
Italy | Piedmont
A charming contrast to the big, dense, tannic Barolos Monforte d’Alba is best known for, Le Coste is all about delicacy, finesse, and high-toned Nebbiolo fruit accented by perfumy floral notes.
2019 Barolo “Ravera di Monforte”
Italy | Piedmont
Beautiful, classic Barolo nose. Intense depth. Fresh and complex.
2018 Barolo “Vigna Rionda”
Italy | Piedmont
Already elegant, this Barolo shows astonishing poise and a different mesmerizing feature of its kaleidoscopic personality every time you take a sip.
2022 Barbera d’Alba “Bricco del Pilone”
Italy | Piedmont
This Barbera tastes as good as it looks, too, with a mouthful of dark, balsamic-drizzled, berry fruit.
About The Producer
Benevelli Piero
About The Region
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.
More from Piedmont or Italy
2022 Vino Bianco
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont
2017 Barolo “Vigna Rionda”
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont
2021 Barbera del Monferrato “Rosso Pietro”
Cantine Valpane Italy | Piedmont
2022 Roero Arneis
Tenuta La Pergola Italy | Piedmont
2022 Barbera d’Alba “Bricco del Pilone”
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont
2016 Barolo Bussia “Cascina Dardi”
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont
2021 Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba “Sörì Cristina”
Il Palazzotto Italy | Piedmont
2015 Barolo Riserva “Cascina Dardi - Bussia”
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont
Vermouth Extra Secco
Bèrto Italy | Piedmont
2021 Rosso dei Dardi
Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Italy | Piedmont
2019 Barolo “Le Coste di Monforte”
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont
2019 Barolo “Gianetto”
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont
2022 Vino Bianco
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont
2017 Barolo “Vigna Rionda”
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont
2021 Barbera del Monferrato “Rosso Pietro”
Cantine Valpane Italy | Piedmont
2022 Roero Arneis
Tenuta La Pergola Italy | Piedmont
2022 Barbera d’Alba “Bricco del Pilone”
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont
2016 Barolo Bussia “Cascina Dardi”
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont
2021 Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba “Sörì Cristina”
Il Palazzotto Italy | Piedmont
2015 Barolo Riserva “Cascina Dardi - Bussia”
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont
Vermouth Extra Secco
Bèrto Italy | Piedmont
2021 Rosso dei Dardi
Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Italy | Piedmont
2019 Barolo “Le Coste di Monforte”
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont
2019 Barolo “Gianetto”
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont
Where the newsletter started
Where the newsletter started
Every three or four months I would send my clients a cheaply made list of my inventory, but it began to dawn on me that business did not pick up afterwards. It occurred to me that my clientele might not know what Château Grillet is, either. One month in 1974 I had an especially esoteric collection of wines arriving, so I decided to put a short explanation about each wine into my price list, to try and let my clients know what to expect when they uncorked a bottle. The day after I mailed that brochure, people showed up at the shop, and that is how these little propaganda pieces for fine wine were born.—Kermit Lynch