Piero Benevoli - Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont, Italy (2021)

TASTING NOTES

Initially quite a closed nose - this needs some decanting to reveal ripe red cherry fruit aromas, tobacco and a bit of earth & menthol. Fine-grained tannins, liquorice, zippy acidity and persistent depth. A lovely, Nebbiolo with elegance and balance. 

In 1978, Piero Benevelli started out with five hectares of vines in Monforte d’Alba and focused on the traditional grapes of Piedmont: Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, and Barbera. His son, Massimo, started his training in the vineyard at age 14 and has now taken over all aspects of the company. 

The Benevelli holdings are mostly concentrated in the southeastern-facing hillside cru of “Ravera” in the deep southeast of the Barolo zone. The wines from Ravera have the distinction of combining the structural strength of neighboring Serralunga d’Alba with the concentration and richness of Bussia and the other crus further north. 

All grapes are hand harvested and fermented in 50 hl stainless steel tanks with temperature controls and pumped over 3 times a day. The skins for this Nebbiolo were cold macerated for 36 hours, aged in stainless steel tanks for 5 - 6 months plus 3 months in bottle before release.