Rivetto

Vigna Lirano Langhe Nebbiolo DOC

Enrico continues to explore lost traditions in his pursuit of a new realization of Barolo. This long-macerated, amphora aged Nebbiolo is the perfect example of that. Using the biodynamic fruit from his west-facing Lirano vineyard on the border of Serralunga d'Alba and Barolo, Enrico has aimed for an earlier drinking, minimal intervention Nebbiolo of place and circumstance. He's sought a wine that is untouched by oak flavours yet still enhanced by the slow inhale and exhale of ambient oxygen exchanged through the porous terracotta walls of these amphorae. The wine ferments for 2 weeks on its skins, is then racked from the gross lees, then put back on its skins in the amphora until June (!!!) for a total of 8 months of unperturbed skin-contact. This long time on the skins combined with much gentler maceration and little touching of the cap develops the wine into a less tannic but hugely tensile, ruby red, crackling Nebbiolo. It pours a lightly hazy red hue and gives wild aromas of violet, dried rose petals, red berry fruits, and delicate spicy shades. On the palate this fragrance is confirmed, showing a happy, juicy, fruity mouthfeel that leads to a fresh and savoury finish. A surprisingly beautiful and inviting wine, and one that can be enjoyed young, without recourse to decades of cellaring. (And speaking of youth, the terrific drawing of the family crest on the label was done by Enrico's sons!) 2019 vintage: 96 WE