Azienda Agricola Giuseppe Cortese Chardonnay 2010

I never really buy Chardonnay as I prefer to buy their indiginous vareities however this was rather nice. Chardonnay just loves a good aspect and a hill side which makes Langhe a potenial ideal area for the variety. Furthermore the variety loves to be paired with chickens and truffles which is a perfect as the area is renowned for truffles.

Azienda Agricola Giuseppe Cortese Chardonnay 2010

This is not what I was expecting as there is a flintiness mixed with figs and fennel before a bit of fruit finds its way into the picture. The aromas mirror the palate to a tee with the good length of flavours easily being able to follow. While the weight is only medium bodied it fits perfectly into the Chablis was of thinking.

Alcohol: 13%
Price: $24
Rated: 87
Drink: Now - 2016
Importer: Eurocentric Wine

Vietti Perbacco 2008

Langhe is well suited to Nebbiolo but the wines are generally a little lighter in weight and in tannin ferocity. This means they are able to be drunk at a younger age without every drop of moisture drying up.

Vietti Perbacco 2008

Vietti was one of the first in the area to start to vinify each vineyard separately but this wine is the entry level and is a combination of vineyards that don’t meet the standard of the top labels. In the beginning the wine tastes of rusty nails and dried roses which is rather impressive. The wine soon opens up a bit to show roasted earth and wild mushrooms on a bed of suck your lips tannins and acidity. This wine is a great introduction to nebbiolo at a price that is easy to digest.

Alcohol: 14%

Price: $45

Rated: 90

Drink: As an 8 year old

Importer: Negociants Australia

Poderi Aldo Conterno Il Favot Nebbiolo DOC 2008

Many wine connoisseur regard Pinot Noir as the elixir from the god yet I'm yet to have a life changing moment with that variety.  On the other hand I have had many jaw dropping moments with Nebbiolo so it is always great to see another one land on my tasting bench.  This variety possesses those beautiful aromatics yet it has a tannin and acid structure that is often to die for.  This wine I like so much that after only having four days off in the last six weeks I'm thinking of cracking another one of these on Friday as I have the week-end totally free.  

Poderi Aldo Conterno Il Favot Nebbiolo DOC

Imagine rolling around in warm earth on a mild spring day in a country garden in England and you basically have this wine down pat. You also get an inviting fluffy sweet tannin structure that is accessible now, this is strange for your normal Nebbiolo as they often need a while in the cellar, and a easy acid element.  Now I don't think this is built for the long haul but it does give you an incite into what the variety brings to the table. 

Alcohol: 13.5%

Price: $80

Rated: 90

Drink: Now - 2016

Importer: Negociants 

Ceretto Bricco Rocche 2007

 The wine from Barolo can age for a particularly long period and this has made a lot of these wines sort after by the wine collectors of the world.  The flavours are generally in the sour and earthy end of the spectrum but as people have moved away from the fruit bombs, many have fallen in love with these wines.  My prediction is that there will be a huge increase in sales of Nebbiolo and Sagrantino in Australia over the next 5 years as this trend takes hold. 

Ceretto Bricco Rocche 2007

What a mother of a wine we have on our hands. Pure tannins seductively yet sadistically assault my mouth but they carry with them the flavours of dark cherry, dried licorice, sweaty socks, dried flowers and spicy earth.  Did I talk about the tannins? They give the wine a holy cow experience. They are monumental and fill every nook and cranny of my mouth.  The only time I’ve tasted tannins like these are in the wines from Montefalco.  There is an exceptionally long and full bodied hulk of a wine lurking under the tannins.  My god I need a drink of water after tasting this beast!

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $320
Rated: 95+
Drink: After 2022

Ceretto Zonchera 2007

I've been having a very good run with quality Piedmont wines at the moment and it still continues with this gem.  While the structure is serious, I had no trouble consuming it now.  That said, I do love a tannin or two.  I would pair this with a nice bowl of Mushroom Risotto. 

Recipe

• 6 cups good quality chicken broth
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ kg portobello mushrooms
• ½ kg white mushrooms
• 3 shallots
• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 5 tablespoons finely chopped chives
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Chop the Mushrooms and fry half in olive oil until soft. Add chopped Shallots and continue to stir until they turn pale.  Add Rice and stir until they go a light golden colour.  Add white wine and broth until fully absorbed.  Add Butter, Chives, Parmesan and the remaining Mushrooms.  Add salt and pepper if desired.  Serve immediately with a glass of wine. 

Ceretto Zonchera 2007

I never would have thought that one wine would embody the stereotype of Barolo so perfectly.   There are glorious specks of earth, spice, chocolate raspberries, spring flowers and dried roses bursting from the wine.  These lovely flavours coalesce with the tannin structure providing a huge amount of serious enjoyment.  Three cheers for another glorious Nebbiolo.  

Alcohol: 14%
Price: $66
Rated: 92
Drink: 2017 - 2025

Importer: Terrior Selections