2008 Marziano Abbona, Nebbiolo D’ Alba “Bricco Barone” Piedmonte, Italy.
This pretty Nebbiolo is really Barolo by another name, especially since most of the fruit comes from traditionally know vines that were until recently inside the Barolo zone, but missed out as of the last re-draw of the boundaries. Regardless of origins this is a magnificent red that gives unbelievable depth, purity and pleasure for the price, Martziano Abbona really is delivering some of the best wines of the region, and this one will blow you away. The 2008 Nebbiolo D’ Alba shows dried roses, violets and mint leaves while a core of red fruit flows from nose to finish with raspberry, cherry, strawberry and plums coming through in smooth layers with notes of licorice, tar, lavender, game and mineral notes. This wine shows remarkable charm and balance making for an elegant and complex Nebbiolo wine that really is something special.
($30 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
