Here's an Imported red sampler to wet your whistle, with Piedmontese Nebbiolo and Barbera, Tuscan Sangiovese, a beautifully smooth Valpolicella and a delightful Tempranillo from Rioja. Each of these wines has been handpicked by us from hundreds tasted at the Prowein fair in Germany, the premier Italian wine buying event, Vinitaly, or from tastings at individual wineries. Only a small percentage of what we taste makes the final cut. Definitely worth a rip.
Produced in Piedmont, specifically in the famed Langhe Hills, this beautifully structured Nebbiolo is aged for 12 months in a combination of large format French oak and stainless steel. This is more approachable than an equivalent Nebb from Barolo, the tannins, whilst noticeable and an important part of the wines structure, being less strident than you'll find in most wines from nearby Barolo or Barbaresco. Lots going on here from violet and red fruit aromatics, fresh straw, vanilla, liquorice and spice through truffles, which will continue to develop as the wine ages, plus tobacco and dark chocolate. A stunner after decanting and will cellar magnificently.
Expressive and fruit driven, this Barbera from Asti in Piedmont is deep, juicy and intense, stopping just short of being rich, though that will come with age. Fruit comes from estate vines grown in the Piedmont sub region of Asti, perhaps the best place in the world to grow Barbera. Specifically, the vines are on the slopes of the San Marzano hills. This wine is made in tiny quantities and is of exceptional quality.
After a quick decant wonderful red fruits, violets, cherries, florals, earth, coffee and other goodies emerge. Wonderful now (though needs decanting, and will age beautifully.
Remarkably intense for a superiore, with dense fruits and excellent acidity tempered by French oak. The bouquet offers cherries, plums, sage and red flowers along with chocolate, smoke, minerality and olive tapenade. The palate is packed with ripe cherries, blackberries, blackberries along with white pepper. Soft and elegant tannins and balanced acidity leave your palate fresh. The second glass beckons.
Carlos Serres is a bit of an OG - one of the few Rioja producers with a century of winemaking behind them. Carlos was actually named Charles, a French Winemaker who left Bordeaux, fed up with dealing with phylloxera riddled vineyards, landing in Spain. He founded the first winery in Rioja with export certification and applied French winemaking techniques to Rioja fruit. Pretty soon, there was a demand for Rioja in the rest of Europe and the US.
Carlos Serres Crianza is 100% Tempranillo and spends 14 months in a combo of French and American oak. Being 'Crianza', the wine has spent a year in barrel, and another on bottle prior to release. Typically aged in older oak, Crianza can have quite assertive tannins and fruit which is intense whilst retaining great freshness. This is a particularly good example, packed with red fruits, cherries, spice, oak and nervy acidity.
A blend of Sangiovese with a portion of Canaiolo Nero, this is classic, medium bodied, aromatic and complex Chianti, finished with fine, sandy tannins. There’s bay leaf and sage, sour cherries, tobacco, minerality and savoury aspects here. A joy to drink by itself or with pizza or substantial, meaty dishes.
Ciabot Berton is based in Piedmont in La Morra, one of the finest Barolo producing communes. They also make Barbera, this one being an absolute stunner. Less than 1000 cases of this Barbera is produced annually, and it offers a red fruited nose, a dense and fleshy palate bedecked with black fruits, cherries and blueberries. It’s a big wine, worth having with a quality char grilled steak.
