2013LePianeMaggiorina2013 Le Piane, Maggiorina, Vino Rosso, Boca, Piedmonte, Italy.
The Le Piane Maggiorina Rosso is a traditional field blend that contains about 40% Nebbiolo, 40% Croatina, 5% Vespolina
plus 15% 9 other old grape varieties and also white grapes grown in Piedmonte’s far north on unique volcanic and gravel soils at quite high elevation. The resulting wine is a fresh Nebbiolo influenced red that is vibrant and vigorous with a subtle perfume and bright acids showing nice tart cherry, wild plum and strawberry fruits along with zesty citrus, rose oil, briar and shale mineral tones. This wine was a conferment of all the grapes and done in all stainless steel vats, no wood is used making for a lighter style table wine with plenty of character and verve, best served with meals and medium weighted cuisine, this is a classic bistro style Italian red that goes easy with food and allows terroir charms to shine through. Le Piane’s Boca Le Piane is much more serious with intense Nebbiolo and needs cellaring for a decade before full enjoyment, where as the Maggiorina can be popped young and is easy to quaff, Le Piane is one of Italy’s best kept secrets. The Maggiorina grows on me overtime I try it and while 2013 wasn’t as ripe or full as some vintages, it certainly springs to life in the glass, at 12.5% it is not a heavy wine and will not impress for density or depth, but it drinks nicely and is a good value, drink now and over the next 2 to 3 years.
($20 Est.) 88-90 Points, grapelive

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