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 

Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo DOCG 2006

The hierarchy of wines that come from Barolo are easy to understand.  Generally wineries start with a Langhe, which is the larger regional name, then they move into a blended vineyard wine from the better areas within Barolo and finally finish with single vineyard wines.  Aldo Conterno does it a little different as he has another wine above the individual vineyard wines that is the best parcels from that vintage blended together.  The Granbussia reserva is that wine and is only released in great vintages with 7 years cellar maturation.

Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo DOCG 2006

For a standard release this has plenty of stuffing.  What I notice the most is the waves of tannin that ride my tongue like Kelly Slater at the world championships. They are seductive and I just want to keep watch. While the tannis are mesmerising the flavours not sweet at all. In fact even the red fruits are savoury and sour but they are mixed with dried roses and intense Indian spice notes.   Actually the spice is so intense it tastes like it is vaporised which makes me think it could be smoked Indian spice or incense. Whatever it is, I want more of it. The palate is exploding with vigour yet it still seems if I waited for a while it would show me so much more.

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price:  $125
Rated: 93++
Drink: Give it 8 years and give them a go.
Importer: Negociants

Ceretto Blange Arneis 2010

Arneis can be very fruity with a twist of acidity to keep them refreshing to consume over the warmer months.  Generally they are very affordable and very likeable to quaff. It is funny that Piedmont makes some of the most easily accessible wines to drink now yet they also produce wines that are a challenge to drink with less than 15 years under their belt. I guess you can drink this and the Barbera while you wait for your Neb to open up.


Ceretto Blange Arneis 2010

This producer has really taken my fancy and this wine is really doing it for me. It is flush with melon and a slice of pear and lemon myrtle.  Defiantly a zippy and zesty wine with loads of spice that builds in the mouth.

Alcohol: 12.5%
Price: $29
Rated: 90
Drink: Now
Importer: Terrior Selection

Ceretto Dolcetto D'Alba 2009

Dolcetto is a rather food friendly grape variety that is at ease with being consumed very shortly after vintage.  The acidity in these wines is a lot lower than the other varieties from the region but that makes it so easy to suck down with a bowl of pasta.  These wines are generally dry in flavour but with a little fruit sweetness. 


Ceretto Dolcetto D'alba 2009

This little baby has a gentle kiss of cherry amongst a more dirty floral component.  As the wine is so even tempered I get the feeling of cracking the cork straight from the bottle and necking it right now.  Now as that wouldn't fit in well with drink driving, I suggest that you wait until you get home to taste it.  There is definitely a nuttiness woven in amongst the tannins that is very appealing.  A wine to satisfy the intellect and person who just wants to enjoy the moment.

Alcohol: 12.5%
Price: $28
Rated: 89
Drink: Now
Importer: Terrior Selections

 

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