An extremely pleasing and drinkable wine, and although it has a high alcohol grade this never overpowers its fruity character. Its red colour has Bordeaux reflections and the slow trickle from the edge of the glass confirms its optimal concentration and good body. The palate is caressed by a smooth tannin content typical of the Nebbiolo grape and by a warm and enveloping flavour.

GIUSEPPE MASCARELLO E FIGLIO Monprivato, Ca D'Morissio Riserva, Barolo

ELIO ALTARE, Barolo DOCG The Elio Altare Barolo is a blend of Nebbiolo grapes from the La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga dAlba and Barolo sub-regions. Only 800-850 dozen bottles are produced each year from vineyards planted on south and south-east facing slopes in the late 1900s. The vineyards, on various soil types, are farmed organically, but along traditional lines. The grapes are crushed and then macerated on skins for 4-5 days in temperature-controlled rotary fermenters before fermentation using indigenous yeasts. The wine is matured for 24 months in French oak barriques before bottling unfined and unfiltered. The Elio Altare Barolo shows an intense ruby-red colour with hints of garnet. On the nose fresh scents of small red fruits, raspberry, redcurrant and wild roses evolve into licorice and spice notes. The palate is typically warm, elegant and persistent, with soft tannins and a long finish.

Nervi is a historic, benchmark Gattinara producer with 28.5ha of highly-prized Nebbiolo vineyards across the appellation, in the northern part of Piedmont. The modern Nervi was founded in 1906 by Luigi Nervi. Valferana is one of the estates two top named sites -- a historic cru with mentions in town records as far back as 1231. The Nervi family ran the estate until the 1990s, and in 2011 it was purchased by investors who brought in the leading Barolo figure Roberto Conterno as a consultant. Gattinara represents the purest expression of the northern [Piedmont] zones. Vino Italiano - David Lynch and Joe Bastianich In May 2018 Conterno purchased the estate. Gattinara was awarded DOC status in 1967, and upgraded to DOCG in 1990. Gravelly clay soils remnants of an ancient collapsed volcano -- are rich in granite and other minerals including iron, zinc, magnesium and manganese. The terroir gives the wines a distinct minerality which sets them apart from the neighbouring appellations. Valferana matures for at least four years in large oak vats.