Scarzello Nebbiolo Langhe 2006

From vineyards just beyond the confines of Barolo towards Novello with S-SW exposure and light soils though in problematic years the Barolo vineyards are harvested a bit earlier and their juice is bottled under this label
13-15 day maceration, malo in wood for vintages with higher than average alcohol then into 600 liter French oak botte which are between 3-5 years of age

Reticent dusty nose with a touch of rose, a touch of mineral, faintly balsamic with cool fruit and a slow to emerge touch of coal 2
Sweet entry with excellent focus, full of fine grained tannins and excellent read more...supporting acids, bright without being obvious 3
Very pretty in the mouth with peach skin and light wild cherry fruit, a touch simple and a bit closed but with excellent purity 2+
Finishes crisply with a touch of tea edging the bright cherry/ wild strawberry fruit, then a touch of melon rind, gains god length and sweetness on the finale, impressive depth and length for Langhe Nebbiolo 3
89pts    (hide)

October 2008

Mini Barolo alert! This is deep and penetrating. Great dark fruits, which are a touch pruny, mineral and tree bark notes with a top note of coffee bean with nuanced menthol and herb tones. Brooding and young, in a plush and seamless style with big, hidden acids, slightly chewy tannins yielding a rich round mouthfeel. Takes awhile for the tannins to grab but they do. Layered with refined dark fruits, spicy dark cherry notes that are dense and poised. Big finish, love these tannins. Superb length. Really complete and powerful Nebbiolo that is extracted for sure but shows excellent promise for the read more...future. I lasted tasted this in May of this year and it has really filled out. This is perhaps a clumsy moment for this wine but the pieces are all there if you favor a rich, chewy style of wine. Give it another year to allow all the elements to better knit together. 89pts    (hide)

December 2008