Wine: Langhe Buio
Producer: Enzoboglietti
Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy
Grape varieties: 80% Nebbiolo + 20% Barbera
Vintage: 2009
Eye: ruby color
Nose: fruity, floral, leather, earth tones
Mouth: fresh and fruity, full bodied,
Price Point: $23
Available at Vinmonopolet: no
Available at Systembolaget: no
We all know I am a huge fan of both dolcetto and Cavallotto. So the combination of them both – wow! Cavallotto ages their dolcetto for 6 month in slavonian oak bottim then in cement tanks for 6 months. In my opinion you can store this dolcetto for 5-10 years, but it’s hard to keep them for so long without drinking them!
Wine: Dolcetto Vigna Scot
Producer: Cavallotto
Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy
Grape varieties: dolcetto
Vintage: 2016
Eye: ruby red with purple hue
Nose: floral notes, red fruits, hints of almonds
Mouth: fresh, medium body, fruity
Price Point: $12
Available at Vinmonopolet: not currently
Available at Systembolaget: no
Wine: Dolcetto d’alba
Producer: Fratelli Revello
Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy
Grape varieties: Dolcetto
Vintage: 2013
Eye: violet, red color
Nose: fruity, roses, red cherry
Mouth: fruity, fresh, red berries,
Price Point: $12
Available at Vinmonopolet: no
Available at Systembolaget: no
Perno has to be the best kept secret in Piemonte. You will not only find one of the best restaurants, Republicca di Perno, but you will also find Cascina Fontana. And I finally had the pleasure of visiting the winery. Mario Fontana and his son gave us a tour of the small, but beautiful wine cellar while we did some barrel tasting, followed by a regular tasting of the wines that are ready to leave the winery.
Mario is a passionate and kind person, who follows his heart. His wines are made the “traditional” way, except his barbera which is made the “Mario Fontana” way. In his lineup you will find Dolcetto, Barbera, Langhe Nebbiolo and a Barolo. His barolo is purely a blend, no crus, which is the way everyone made wine back in the day. And Mario has chosen to continue this way.
He showed us an old label (unfortunately it was empty…)
The wines at Cascina Fontana are very good. During my visit we tasted Langhe Nebbiolo 2017 (barrel), Barolo 2017 (tank), Dolcetto 2017, Barbera 2016, Langhe Nebbiolo 2016 and Barolo 2014.
Two things stood out to me. First, he releases his barolo one year later than everyone else. Or has he likes to say “everyone else releases their wine a year early.” Second, Mario said “The wine must reflect the season” when talking about the 2014 vintage. He also said to drink 2014, don’t save it. Very wise guy, this Mario Fontana. And you should def pay him a visit! I am going back soon, that’s for sure.
In a weekend with A LOT of good wines, there are bound to be a few favorites! I enjoyed most of the wines, but like always there are ones you love and ones you maybe don’t like as much. For me round 4, the last round, was the best one. The Veglio 1997 and Altare 1996 were by far my favorite – we all know how I LOVE old barolo!
Picture from Barolo Night Oslo
In case you missed it, here are the tasting notes for all the wines in each round.
Round 1: Gianni Voerzio la serra 1998, Massolino Margheria 2008 and Renato Corino Arborina 2014
Round 2: Altare Barolo 1993, Aldo Conterno Barolo 2006, Gianni Voerzio la serra 1999
Round 3: Renato Ratti Rocche dell’Annunziata 2011, Mauro Veglio Gattera 2006 and Burzi Capalot 2013
Round 4: Mauro Veglio Rocche 1997 and Altare Unknown 1996
Wine: Dolcetto d’Alba
Producer: Giovanni Corino
Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy
Grape varieties: dolcetto
Vintage: 2016
Eye: dark red, violet hue
Nose: dark berries, fruity, hints of hay
Mouth: light to medium bodied, smooth, fresh and fruity
Price Point: $12
Available at Vinmonopolet: no
Available at Systembolaget: no
Pelaverga is a very special grape that is indigenous to Verduno in Piemonte. There are not that many winemakers that make wine with the pelaverga grape (I don’t think I have tried any other pelaverga wines) but I really like the one Burlotto makes.
Wine: Pelaverga
Producer: Burlotto
Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy
Grape varieties: pelaverga
Vintage: 2014
Eye: light, clear red color
Nose: white pepper, floral notes, nuts, cherries
Mouth: light, fruity, good acidity, light dry tannins
Price Point: $20
Available at Vinmonopolet: yes, but may be sold out
Available at Systembolaget: no
Wine: Dolcetto d’Alba
Producer: Nadia Curto
Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy
Grape varieties: Dolcetto
Vintage: 2015
Eye: ruby red with purple hue
Nose: red fruits, cherry, sweet. licorice
Mouth: soft, fresh, good acidity. dry
Price Point: $13
Available at Vinmonopolet: yes
Available at Systembolaget: yes
Wine: Barbera Vigna Pugnane
Producer: Marco Marengo
Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy
Grape varieties: Barbera
Vintage: 2015
Eye: intense ruby red
Nose: fruity, red berries
Mouth: full-bodied, fruity, warm
Price Point: $13
Available at Vinmonopolet: yes
Available at Systembolaget: no
Wine: Barbera d’Alba
Producer: Carlo Revello
Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy
Grape varieties: Barbera
Vintage: 2016
Eye: ruby red
Nose: slightly indistinct, some dark berries, cherry and blackberry
Mouth: high acidity, fresh, medium body
Price Point: $17
Available at Vinmonopolet: no
Available at Systembolaget: yes
PIEMONTEGIRL 