2022 ChevernyDomaine du Salvard
France | Loire
$22
Producers
When we describe the flavors of red wine, we tend to speak primarily of red- or black-fruited notes, but Benevelli’s Langhe Nebbiolo offers so much zest and mouthwatering acidity, the first flavor that comes to mind when I taste this classy red is blood orange. Deceptively light on its feet, it finishes with an impressive tannin that begs for a hearty stew or your favorite cut of steak.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2020 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Nebbiolo |
Appellation: | Langhe Nebbiolo |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Piedmont |
Producer: | Benevelli Piero |
Winemaker: | Massimo Benevelli |
Vineyard: | 7 – 10 years, 1.5 ha |
Soil: | Dark brown marl, red marl |
Aging: | Aged 3 months in bottle before release |
Farming: | Traditional |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
Benevelli Piero Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto d’Alba
Benevelli Piero Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Tenuta La Pergola Italy | Piedmont | Monferrato Rosso
Il Palazzotto Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba
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.
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont | Barbaresco
Silvio Giamello Italy | Piedmont | Barbaresco
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto d’Alba
Benevelli Piero Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Silvio Giamello Italy | Piedmont | Langhe
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barbera d’Alba
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barbera d’Alba
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont | Langhe
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