Wines from Piedmont

A fascinating Pinot Nero with the structure of a Nebbiolo. Fine cherry aroma with well-dosed extract sweetness, plus rose petals, mint and some Asian herbal spice. The wine is prancing on the palate with distinguished restraint, revealing its finesse and structure at the latest with the third sip and with the medium-bodied finish. This is as much a wine for Pinot fans as it is for lovers of enigmatic, subrilegious style - and clearly love at second sight. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is fruity and vibrant with ripe raspberries and cherries as well as roselle flowers and orange peel. Medium-bodied, round and mellow with creamy tannins. Delicious. Drink now." James Suckling

This powerful red wine, characterised by spicy new oak, exudes aromas and flavours of plums, blackberries, fruit cake, almonds and vanilla. Balanced in an exuberant way, with pronounced fruit and a long aftertaste. A Barbera of exquisite intensity, class and beauty.

"A stellar wine, the 2021 Barbera d'Alba Tulin is packed with blackberry jam, chocolate, spice, new leather, espresso and spice. It's a superb example of the heights Barbera aged in French oak can reach. The style won't be for everyone, but readers who want to see what wines of this school are all about will find a fabulous example here." Vinous

Piedmontese rarity. Rich straw yellow colour with green reflections. Approx. 10% white Nebbiolo gives this Chardonnay the ultimate kick to create an exceptional wine. Herbal spice, finely integrated wood and delicate smoky notes enveloped by a citrus flavour and paired with well-balanced acidity round off this powerful yet highly elegant experience. Great Storage potential - this wine gets better every year and is one of our absolute favourites in the entry-level Roagna range! SUPERIORE.DE

Long Now is still a real insider tip for us. Dark ruby colour. Opulent nose with notes of black cherry, smoke, tobacco and liquorice. The palate is full of tension with a breadth and power that is unrivalled. In this exceptional wine, Barbera and Nebbiolo merge into a spectacular blend that is rich, powerful and has a beautiful, long final. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2020 Long Now, Pelissero's Barbera/Nebbiolo blend, is fabulous. The combination of inky, jammy Barbera fruit and Nebbiolo structure works so well here. Inky dark fruit, bittersweet chocolate, spice, new leather, licorice and lavender saturate the palate." Vinous

Ceretto's Langhe Rosso Monsordo is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah with fruit from 11 hectares in the Langa area. It penetrates areas never addressed by Ceretto's master grape, Nebbiolo. Monsordo tries to give answers to questions that are rarely asked in the Langa, and he answers them with fine sweetness, fullness and pure extraction.

Monsordo opens with a dark and impenetrable appearance. Dark cherries and blackberries merge with sweet tobacco and exotic spices. Its aromas are heady, determined and intense, especially in this vintage. A very exotic and punchy wine for the Langhe, it virtually comes out of nowhere and leaves a strong impression. SUPERIORE.DE

This wine bears the small print name Viola delle Viole, although its fruit comes from the Bricco delle Viole and Bricco Bertone vineyards, two sites with different soil types, one of which provides structure and the other aromatic purity. Vajra's Barbera d'Alba Superiore opens with a dark, almost impenetrable appearance. Powerful aromas of blackberry jam and preserved cherries unfold on the nose. You can feel its warmth and richness and there is no way around it. It is a super-sized Barbera that goes one better in terms of extraction and intensity. The finish is almost sweet, followed by good acidity. It shows great aromatic perfection, length and a very accentuated style. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Barbera d'Alba Superiore 2022 is a rich, intoxicating and powerful wine. Dark red and purple fruits pervade this dense, muscular wine. You will find a distinctive Barbera of unusual depth, structure and complexity." Vinous

"If our Barbera d'Alba DOC is a traditional red wine from the Langhe, we consider Gisep to be a representative of a grape variety that is also capable of astonishment. Gisep means Giuseppe in Piedmontese: a tribute to our grandfather, who was instrumental in the development of our winery. We make it from a selection of grapes from different vineyards, and only in the best years. Structured and lush, pleasantly complex and rounded, yet surprisingly long-lasting and full of character." Franco Massolino

Massolino's Barbera d'Alba Gisep focuses on the sultry, smoky and refined side of this favourite Piedmontese grape. If the winery's classic Barbera is a bare and exposed expression, this wine shows the smart clothes and accessories that elevate it to first class. Dark cherry, plum, smoke, liquorice, incense and new leather give the current edition a terrific complexity of flavour and depth. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Barbera d'Alba Gisep, Massolino's Barbera aged in wood, is fabulous. It offers all the intensity of wines made in this style, with plenty of textural richness but none of the heaviness of past editions, thanks to a better-judged use of oak. Dark cherry, mocha, licorice and spice shape the resonant finish." Vinous

Barbera d'Asti Riserva from the noble DOCG Nizza opens with dark red fruit, followed by smoke, spices and flowers. Dense, intense fruit with a pleasantly salty, mineral note on the palate. Impressive Barbera presentation with a long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of macerated black cherries and ripe raspberries combine with star anise, cedar and violets that pour out of the glass. The palate is loaded with notes of ripe plum, blackberries, fresh thyme and fine oak spices. Structured tannins give the wine heft, finishing with enough acidity to balance each component." Wine Enthusiast

"This wine has a red fruity character with notes of tea leaves, dried herbs and ground cloves. Medium-bodied with bright and lively fruit, crisp acidity and firm, polished tannins. Fresh and spicy." James Suckling

"A pure nose of cherry and other ripe red fruits. With sour cherry, plums and dried cranberries. Freshness and balance, precision and intensity, the oak is well integrated." Decanter

"The 2019 Nizza Riserva is packed with dark fruits, graphite, cured meat, cloves, leather and lavender. Deep and layered, with enormous stature, the Riserva is a wonderfully complete wine that just needs a few years in the bottle to round itself out. It is another impressive wine in this range from Olim Bauda." Vinous

The Nebbiolo grapes for Matteo's entry-level Barolo come from his three vineyards Serralunga d'Alba, La Morra and Verduno. Bright garnet red colour. Precisely balanced bouquet of wild berries, rose petals and beautiful herbal spice. Bright acidity on the palate, perfectly integrated tannins and beautifully emphasised primary fruit. Already very accessible when young, it will nevertheless gain in complexity over the years. Excellent value! SUPERIORE.DE

"Subtle notes of red fruit, dried orange, spices and a hint of lavender. Medium-bodied, vivid and crunchy with firm tannins. Dry and juicy at the end." James Suckling

The pioneer of Riesling on Italian soil is Aldo Vajra. Already fascinated by the variety as a student, he planted the first vines of the White Riesling variety in the Langa. Very light yellow-green in colour when young, developing into a strong straw yellow. The flavours of the noble Pètracine also take a varied course. Starting with peach and apricot, delicate floral and citrus notes follow in the middle, while minerality takes centre stage as the wine matures. Harmonious and precisely structured on the palate, almost austere, fascinatingly complex and long. Great ageing potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Riesling Pétracine is a beautiful white that marries varietal notes with the natural richness of the year. Sweet jasmine, tangerine peel, ginger, passionfruit and lemon confit lend exotic beauty to Vajra's Riesling in 2022. I imagine time in bottle will bring out more of the textual oiliness that is in the background at present." Vinous

"The organic G.D. Vajra 2022 Langhe Riesling Pétracine (the name is hard to read given the vines surrounding the lettering on the front of the label) is very direct and bright with a sharp citrus quality that stands out thanks to crushed stone and tropical fruit. A bright, supple wine that is great fun to drink (especially young)." Wine Advocate

In 2012, the Pecchenino family started to invest in the small but fine sparkling wine DOCG Alta Langa. The altitudes and soil conditions are ideal for fresh and fragrant sparkling wines that are not only very rare but also highly sought after internationally. Psea is named after the small village of Pezzea, where the winery's Chardonnay and Pinot Nero sites are located.

Straw yellow with copper reflections. Intense bouquet of bread crust, yeast, hazelnut and biscuits, accompanied by floral hints. Very firm and structured on the palate, creamy, fresh and of impressive persistence and length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Pecchenino's PSEA Pas Dosé is a bright and vibrant example of Alta Langa. A blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, the wine shines with bright notes of lemon, tangerine and a touch of yeast. The wine is light on the palate with vibrant acidity - a great option for an apertivo." Wine Enthusiast

"Aromas of ripe apples and pears with leafy herbs, lemon rind and bread crust. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a round texture. Lively and energetic with a polished, chalky finish." James Suckling

The still young DOC Colli Tortonesi is probably still one of the least known wine regions in Piedmont. The term Derthona is already used as a generic term. It is the old name for Tortona, a small village in the centre of the DOC. The indigenous white grape variety Timorasso led a shadowy existence for many years, but today some winegrowers are already calling it the "white Barolo". This is due to its great complexity and finesse on the one hand and the excellent ageing potential of the wines on the other. In addition, the grapes often vary in size and ripeness during the harvest, which makes selection a major challenge, just as with the great Nebbiolo crus.

Light yellow in colour, tending towards golden as it matures in the bottle. The nose is very fresh, floral and fruity, with some orange confit, petrol and honey. Rich and deep on the palate, with an almost Riesling-like minerality and fine acid wire. With increasing aeration, it becomes more multi-layered, complex and surprisingly deep, hinting at the great potential of the grape variety. Not an off-the-peg wine, but all the more convincing for those wine lovers who expect character, personality and a high degree of independence from a white wine. For us, Timorasso is THE white grape variety discovery of recent years and Vietti's new addition, alongside the whites from Roagna and Walter Massa, is an excellent example of how Italian white wines can play at the very top of the international league! SUPERIORE.DE

"This classic Timorasso showcases a distinctive herbal edge, with layers of aromas and flavors. The nose offers crisp green apple and lemon pith, hinting at the wine's vibrant character. On the palate, the green-apple notes become more pronounced, with a tart quality that adds to the freshness. The lemon pith brings a bitter, zesty dimension, complementing the wine's herbal undertones, which evoke sensations of freshly crushed thyme and sage. These flavors intertwine seamlessly, creating a complex and textured experience that highlights the unique attributes of the Timorasso grape." Wine Enthusiast

Bright, intense ruby colour, lots of fresh, concentrated berry fruit on the nose, very elegant, pronounced acidity on the palate, which then gives way to a fine tannin, long and juicy finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Straw yellow with greenish reflections. A lovely floral nose with hints of peach and banana. The flavour is clear, fresh and pure with spicy aromas of lemon, mandarin and crushed gravel. Roero Arneis is also known as Barolo Bianco, which is entirely appropriate for this excellent white wine from Neive's noble forge. SUPERIORE.DE

"A fresh and crisp white with light lemon, mango and bitter lime flavours. It is medium to full-bodied with lots of fruit. The hot vintage is noticeable, but it remains fresh on the finish." James Suckling

Convincing selection of "La Luna e i Falò" from grapes harvested exclusively in the DOCG area of Nizza Monferrato. Its colour is deep red and as dense as its bouquet of wild berries, plums and tobacco with a fine toasty vanilla note from the barrique. The soft, spicy taste lingers long and with great elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Exudes a promising aroma of black cherries, nougat and herbs; juicy in the mouth, the tannins close-meshed, well supported by the acidity, elegant lingering final. Can still mature." Vinum

"Aromas of bark, sap, blackberry and blueberry. Medium-to full-bodied with some salty-mineral notes. Juicy. A little savory, with vanilla and ground clove coming through at the end. Nicely structured." James Suckling

The pioneer of Riesling on Italian soil is Aldo Vajra. Already fascinated by the variety as a student, he planted the first vines of the White Riesling variety in the Langa. Very light yellow-green in colour when young, developing into a strong straw yellow. The flavours of the noble Pètracine also take a varied course. Starting with peach and apricot, delicate floral and citrus notes follow in the middle, while minerality takes centre stage as the wine matures. Harmonious and precisely structured on the palate, almost austere, fascinatingly complex and long. Great ageing potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2023 Riesling Pétracine is a wild, dynamic wine. Ripe pear, apricot, jasmine and exotic floral overtones all meld together. The 2023 exudes varietal character, but it also has a distinctly Piedmontese profile, especially in its acids. This is a terrific vintage for the Pétracine." Vinous

With Kyè, Vajra has not only recognised the potential of the Freisa grape, but redefined it. The freshness of the grape variety is somewhat reminiscent of Barbera and has a similar structure to the Nebbiolo grape. An explosive wine with dark fruits, violets, minerals, menthol and spices. Insanely beautiful and multi-dimensional, the fruit remains primary and the tannins are firm. Elegance all along the line and at the same time completely Freisa, only without the old-fashioned rusticity of this indigenous variety. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Langhe Freisa Kyè is an elegant, polished wine. Dark cherry, plum, gravel, dried flowers, mocha, sage and licorice lend notable complexity. The racy profile is marked by ripe fruit but also a mid-weight structure that resulted from challenges in achieving full ripeness in this vintage." Vinous

Graceful ruby red Barbera d'Alba with a fine fruit aroma. The fully structured taste closes persistently with a light acid wire that contrasts well with the body. SUPERIORE.DE

This Nebbiolo comes from one of the best vineyards in the Roero and is vinified by Luciano Sandrone with the same care as a Barolo. Brilliant ruby-garnet colour. Wonderful aroma of light red fruit, mainly raspberry and cherry. Earthy on the palate with a lovely strawberry touch and an incredible amount of elegance. The fine-grained tannin is wonderfully integrated and, together with a subtle minerality, gives this Nebbiolo a race, depth and finesse that is unrivalled. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, shiny ruby red with a subtly brightening rim. Subtle nose, a potpourri of watermelon, oranges and rose hips, light spice on the finish. On the palate with a polished fruit core and great juiciness, comes in several waves, savoury, radiant, drinks very well." Falstaff

"Very restrained on the nose, with liquorice, smoky forest notes and dried and ripe cherries. Firm tannins, somewhat dusty on the mid-palate, with refreshing acidity, a medium body and good fruit concentration." James Suckling

"The 2022 Nebbiolo d'Alba Valmaggiore is quite the surprise, given the challenging conditions of the year. Sweet red cherry fruit, kirsch, mint, dried flowers, orange peel and cinnamon build effortlessly in the glass. Soft, silky contours wrap it all together in style. This is impeccably done." Vinous

The Nebbiolo grapes for this archetypal Barbaresco come from marl soils at an altitude of about 250 metres. After two years of ageing in large wood and a further 6-7 (!) years of bottle maturity, here comes a wine on the market which, with its perfectly matured tannins and fine sweet melting, is already giving even the most impatient Nebbiolo fan a lot of pleasure.

Ruby red with garnet reflections, convincing, spicy bouquet of violets, moss, rose petals and small red fruits. Nice pressure on the palate, yet open-hearted, fresh and full-bodied, with well-dosed extract-sweet notes of maraschino cherry and a beautiful fruit that promises another great future in combination with the fine-meshed tannin. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich bright cherry red with dark reflections. Inviting bouquet of juicy wild raspberries, blackberries, also something of cardamom and delicate bourbon vanilla. Pleasant on the nose, winds gracefully through the palate, powerful in body with a sparse structure, yet clear, goes into the lingering final with good pressure." Falstaff

"Lustrous maturing ruby with orange tinges. Sweetly scented ripe cherry nose with the merest suggestion of fruit cake and hugely appealing. A succulent mouthful of marasca-cherry fruit with coating tannins. Long, concentrated and highly enjoyable and still not at its peak." Jancis Robinson

"Rich and broad with a fleshy opulence to the wine. Blackberries touched by truffle oil, smoked meats, and dried herb perfume." Decanter

"A solid 2015 Barbaresco with spice, cedar and plum character. Full body, lots of fruit and chewy tannins. This needs time to soften and come together." James Suckling

Top Barbera from the Montemareto hill in the Nizza DOCG. Intense ruby red colour with violet reflections. Cherry, black cherry, sweet spices and floral notes of violets on the nose. Deep and complex on the palate, with an intense fruit centre and soft tannins, intense long finish, great! SUPERIORE.DE

"Flavours of blackberry, plum and spice are enhanced by the polished texture of this rich, dense red wine. Accents of tamarind and toasted almonds add detail as it winds into the tactile finish." Wine Spectator

"Black fruits, sage and roasted walnuts on the nose. Some blood oranges. Full-bodied with pleasant, fine tannins. Smooth and flavoursome finish." James Suckling

"The 2021 Nizza Montemareto is a rich, heady wine from Chiarlo. Soaring floral and savory notes play off a core of dense red-toned fruit in this exotic, wild Barbera. Far from an easygoing wine, the 2021 has a ton to offer. It will benefit from another year or two in bottle and a healthy decant at the table to tame its exuberance." Vinous

A Nebbiolo for purists. Pine resin, dried fruit and ethereal spices on the nose. On the palate, we find sweet plums, lots of juicy cherries and cassis, as well as robust tannins and a fine mineral acidity. This wine calls for a strong food companion and is a great pleasure in this combination! SUPERIORE.DE