Alessandro Rivetto Langhe Nebbiolo 2019

We love the Rivetto wines with a passion and have been direct importing their wines for years. Not only are they uniquely delicious and incredibly well-valued Piemonte wines...but it also gives us an excuse to visit them every couple years and gorge ourselves on some killer pasta at their estate! At the end of the day, this is basically declassified Barolo, from the famous Serralunga d’Alba region, at a logic-defying price of only $14.95.

But how’s it taste, you ask? Like nebbiolo...pure, classic, unadulterated nebbiolo. It’s astounding, truly, but you get the red rose and violet florals, the red berries and cherries, the earthy, truffle-y spicebox note, the minty freshness, the tangerine/blood orange pithiness, with a hint of black tea – everything you might find in a classically made Barolo (at easily one-fourth the price)! The weight is delicate, the structure less intimidating, and sure, you don’t want to cellar this for two decades, but in all other ways, this really is a perfect nebbiolo! One year in Slavonian oak barrels, plus several months in bottle and that’s it. Fresh, bright, and delectable nebbiolo. We drink this on the regular, and its remarkable friendliness makes this an easy choice to pair with pastas and pizzas or bring to dinner parties and backyard BBQs. You’d be wise to have a handful of these on hand for all-the-time drinking...it's a case for me!

PAIRING IDEAS: A Napa Valley staple re-opened recently, and pilgrimages have already been recommended! Yountville’s Ciccio has a Pepperoni and Hot Honey Pizza that is simply perfect with this nebbiolo!