A silky Nebbiolo Langhe crafted by award-winning winemaker, Fabrizio Francone “like they used to 30 years ago”. Flavours of liquorice, rose petals and spices

This wine offers the full Nebbiolo experience, with silky tannins and a lighter colour. Fabrizio Francone, the owner and winemaker, says he wanted to make it in the traditional style. This is how it was done in Neive by generations of his family. The resulting Nebbiolo wine doesn’t need to be aged for as long as Barolo or Barbaresco. It is enjoyable at a younger age as a casual drink, or with a plate of pasta, risotto or pork chops.

Winemaking

Fabrizio makes this wine from grapes grown on 15 year old vines in his Barbaresco Fausoni vineyard. As the vines get older, they will be used for the powerful top-of-the-line Barbaresco Fausoni (Decanter Silver Medal). Now, while they’re younger, they produce grapes with fruitier flavours, and harsher tannins. That’s why Fabrizio says the wine has to be produced in a different way.

First, grapes are fermented for only two weeks, rather than the four weeks required for a classic Barbaresco. This means that the wine picks up fewer tannins at the tail end of fermentation. Next, Fabrizio ages the wine for 15 months in large 30 year old French oak barrels. This allows slow contact with oxygen, without adding strong oaky flavours. This type of long, gentle ageing makes the tannins milder.

We’re proud to be the UK-exclusive merchant for Fabrizio Francone’s other award-winning wines, including Barolo (Decanter Silver Medal) and Barbaresco Gallina (Decanter Gold Medal).

Grapes are hand-harvested in early October. After being destemmed and crushed, they’re fermented for ten days in stainless steel vats. After that, the wine is aged for fifteen months in old 4000-litre French oak barrels. Old barrels are used as they help to preserve the natural flavours of Nebbiolo, rather than overpowering it.

Tasting notes

Red garnet colour shows the extensive oak ageing. Very prominent notes of cranberry, liquorice, eucalyptus, black pepper, cloves and meat. Aromas of dried rose petals add an intriguing element. This Nebbiolo wine is dry with grippy tannins, medium alcohol and a pronounced taste of black fruits and liquorice with an undertone of spices.

Awards

I Vini Di Veronelli – 2 stars (2018 vintage) | Luca Maroni – 90 points (2017 vintage)