A closer look at the wines from Saturday’s Italian lunch.
The group needed a little research to get our head around the background of this wine. Made from Nebbiolo, there was an assumption it was from the Piedmont region. There was no mention of Langhe on the label, which usually designates the region when not Barolo or Barbaresco.
The village of Gattinara sits well North of the traditional Langhe wine region, almost at the Swiss border. Perhaps it does not include the Langhe designation because it falls outside the DOCG. Further investigation reveals Gattinara has its own DOCG.
The fruit for the Trevigne is sourced from the three oldest vineyards of the Travaglini estate. Only made in the best years, the wine is aged in old Slovenian oak, with a small parcel seeing new French barriques. The wine is capable of cellaring for up to 15 years, making 2008 in an ideal drinking window.
The 1998 vintage was good in Piedmont, however, Gattinara sits some 150 km north of Langhe, so it is difficult to associate the two. I am having difficulty finding information on the vintage from the Gattinara DOCG. If the Tre Vigne was made, we can assume it was a good vintage.
This wine was supplied by Hann.
100% Nebbiolo.
Medium to dark tawny. Showing some age. The fruit was quite tertiary on the nose, plum jam, but not in a jammy sense. The nose was dominated by forest floor, mushrooms and black tea. The palate displayed similar characteristics. The acid was integrated, a little faded. The tannins had softened. It was a difficult wine to assess. At times interesting, at others, it seemed a little faded. Only to draw you back later. Rachelle’s wine of the day.
Drink now.
Not scored.
