On the palate it is very vigorous, rich in extracts, with lively and pleasant tannins that are rounded through a skilful use of wood. A powerful, tantalizing Nebbiolo by Luigi Pira with a great ageing potential.

Situated between Neive and the town of Barbaresco itself, Cotta beautifully combines the rich, fuller-bodied nature of Neive, with the tannic structure of Barbaresco. With a south-west exposure, it is usally the richest and roundest of the Sottimano crus, typically showing abundant red and black fruits with refined nuances of mint, leading to a palate of notable length. The tannins are there, but beautifully expressive and silky. A benchmark Barbaresco with a 15-20 year cellar life.

AZIENDA AGRICOLA SORDO GIOVANNI Riserva Rocche Di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG

CA DEL BAIO Barbaresco Cru Vallegrande For four generations, the Grasso family has quietly made a name for themselves in the Barbaresco region, stretching back to the late 1800s when Giuseppe Grasso moved from Calosso in the Asti region to Treiso. The Barbaresco from Ca del Baio is garnet red with intense aromas of red fruits and flowers on the nose. The wine is dry, smooth and well-rounded on the palate with nicely balanced tannins and a long finish. Perfect with a fine pasta.

Boroli Barolo Cerequio comes from one of La Morra’s most historic crus, a natural amphitheatre of Nebbiolo known for its warm, sheltered aspect and long reputation for producing refined, ageworthy Barolo. The Boroli family source fruit from premium parcels in this “Riviera delle Langhe” hillside, where clay-limestone soils with sandy veins and constant ventilation give ripe but balanced grapes with natural freshness. In the cellar, carefully selected bunches are destemmed and given a long maceration with submerged cap, before maturation in oak to shape structure while preserving site detail. In bottle, Cerequio typically shows clear ruby colour, bright cherry and strawberry, floral notes such as camomile and rose, and hints of spice, cedar and liquorice, wrapped in firm yet polished tannins and a long, savoury finish. This is Boroli’s La Morra statement: Barolo of poise and fragrance that drinks well in its first decade yet has the backbone to evolve gracefully in the cellar.

In 1904 a co-operative winery called Ai Vino Delle Langhe was founded and a young man who worked there was Alfred Prunotto. Prunotto took over the estate in 1922, giving it his own name and today it is run under the umbrella of the famous Marchesi Antinori family. Located in Alba the estate tends around 50 hectares of vineyards throughout the Langhe and Monferrato. This Nebbiolo is garnet red in colour with ample and complex aromas of violets and berry fruit, full and velvety in flavour and very balanced. Its structure and body make it an ideal match for meat and game dishes and for cheese.

On the palate it is very vigorous, rich in extracts, with lively and pleasant tannins that are rounded through a skilful use of wood. A powerful, tantalizing wine with a great ageing potential.