2023 Elio Sandri - Langhe Nebbiolo DOC (750ml)

For lovers of Barolo who want to explore Elio Sandri's singular terroir at an approachable entry point, this Langhe Nebbiolo is an exceptional place to start. Cascina Disa in Monforte d'Alba was a settlement of monks of the Abbey of Breme at the beginning of the 15th century, used for wine production even then. Since 1965 it has been the heart of the Sandri family winery, who continue the ancient traditions of the area with the highest respect for nature, eschewing industrial methods entirely.

The vines for this bottling are planted at the upper reaches of Cascina Disa, shaded by forests that cover the crest of the hill, producing fruit that is less ripe and powerful than the property's sunnier parcels. The wine is fermented naturally in cement tank and aged for one year in a single 25-hectoliter Slavonian oak cask. Grapes are hand-picked at night, and the wine sees no new oak at any stage.

The result is a stunningly pure and vivacious Nebbiolo, offering taut, scrumptious red fruits framed by varietally appropriate but polite tannins, with a sense of serene cohesion that speaks to Elio's minimal-intervention approach. The nose opens with crushed rosehips and a savory mineral quality, leading into raspberry and wild cherry, with the finish lingering on notes of salted bergamot.

Pair with:

• Braised lamb, roasted beef, and game
• Truffle-dressed pasta and risotto
• Aged Piedmontese cheeses

Enjoyable now with decanting; best through 2033.