2019 Vietti, Langhe Nebbiolo DOC “Perbacco” Piedmonte, Italy.
One of the first tables I visited at this year’s Slow Wine 2022 tasting event in San Francisco was of course Vietti, especially since they had just a lineup of their Nebbiolo wines, it included the majestic Lazzarito cru Barolo, their main Castiglione Barolo and this savvy Perbacco Langhe Nebbiolo, which is a bargain hunters favorite and a wine I can’t seem to get enough of. This 2019 version is fabulously pure and youthfully bold in the glass with pretty aromatics, taut structure and delightful fruit definition, depth and fresh acidity, it delivers a Nebbiolo experience and quality way above its price class. Not far off the basic Barolo and Barbaresco in terms of class with a traditional array of comforting Nebbiolo character showing crushed raspberry, black cherry, plum and currant fruits along with subtle earthy elements, minty herb, anise, burnt orange rind, seeped dark flowers and a hint of cedar and chalk. The lingering echos of kirsch and rose petals are lovely and the Perbacco turns silken and graceful, but with just enough tannic bite to remind you where this wine was born and tells you to enjoy it with robustly simple cuisine.
Known to many as a “baby Barolo”, Vietti’s Perbacco is always 100% Nebbiolo, made by the legendary Luca Currado, sourced from some of the fifteen different Grand Cru vineyards in Barolo and now more recently the winery started using a small portion of grapes from its vineyards in Barbaresco. In order to create a stylish gateway wine, Vietti only uses top quality sites to be part of the blend of this valued packed Perbecco Langhe Nebbiolo. The finished wine is a barrel and or tank selection, with each Cru being vinified separately, then lots are chosen and aged for two years in oak (as with the Barolo) after which a selection is made that highlights the region as well as the expression of the vintage. Vietti, one of Piedmonte’s great producers, does an impeccable job on this wine, it is an incredible value, the Perbacco is intended to show, as the winery says, the full complexity of the zone and the Nebbiolo varietal to novice and seasoned wine lovers alike. Vietti’s collection of varietal wines are always on point, from their Arneis, Timorasso, Barbera and Freisa to Dolcetto, Moscato d’Asti and this Langhe Nebbiolo, there’s no slouch in this set, all are ready to please and rewarding, so if you are looking to get your Piedmonte on, this is a great place to start!
($25 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive