Luciano Sandrone Nebbiolo d'Alba Valmaggiore 2022

Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. No need to decant but best to open it an hour before service. Luciano Sandrone is a family-run winery in Piedmont. It was founded in 1978 in Barolo and is today managed by Luciano with his daughter and brother. The company owns approximately 27 hectares of vineyards located in the Langhe and Roero where they grow the local varieties Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, and Barbera. This Nebbiolo is made with grapes from the Valmaggiore vineyard, located in Vezza d'Alba, to the left of the Tanaro River, and considered one of the best plots in Roero. Here the grapes enjoy exceptional conditions with full exposure from west to east and soft and sandy soil. After the harvest, fermentation takes place in steel vats and the finished wine then rests in French oak barrels before bottling and a further rest of at least 9 months in the bottle. The wine has a bright color with ruby ​​tones and light garnet nuances. On the nose, it reveals a fruity aromatic profile with notes of raspberry and cherry, dried flowers, and orange peel followed by spicy hints of cinnamon and some smoky nuances. On the palate, it is juicy, savory, and easy to drink. It has a subtle mineral vein, a refreshing acidity, and fine-grained and well-integrated tannins. It is soft and silky with a long fruity and slightly spicy finish. It pairs well with baked pasta dishes, light game dishes, and medium-aged cheeses.

Price: £31.97 from 8wines UK