2021 Beaujolais-VillagesAlex Foillard
France | Beaujolais
$32
Producers
This might just be Giulia’s finest Langhe Nebbiolo yet, and it hints at why we at KLWM have been blown away by her ability to draw beauty out of the Nebbiolo grape. Fine and elegant, this is a knockout red from one of Piedmont’s rising stars.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2019 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Nebbiolo |
Appellation: | Langhe |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Piedmont |
Producer: | Giulia Negri |
Vineyard: | 1.5 ha, planted in 2006, 2015 |
Soil: | Sand, Clay |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
Giulia Negri Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Giulia Negri Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont | Moscato d'Asti
Cantine Valpane Italy | Piedmont | Barbera del Monferrato
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
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.
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto d’Alba
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont | Langhe Nebbiolo
Cantine Valpane Italy | Piedmont | Barbera del Monferrato
Il Palazzotto Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Bèrto Italy | Piedmont
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont | Moscato d'Asti
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Benevelli Piero Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
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.
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
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