The Langhe is lekker. ‘One of the early lessons I was taught was simple but powerful,’ shares Antonio Galloni: ‘Buy the least expensive wine from the best producers.’ For fantastic value, look no further than Langhe Nebbiolo as it’s often made from the same highly regarded parcels as the estates’ Barolos and Barbarescos.
‘The challenge with this wine is to respect the big personality of the Nebbiolo variety – long and full in the glass – but also to have it be very drinkable,’ explains Piedmont’s rising star, Giulia Negri. Her high-altitude rosso is classic, graceful and deliciously drinkable, yet able to age for quite a few years.
Just across the road from Giulia is the Marengo family. Their 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo, born from a warmer vintage, has ease and power. Brimming with cherries and roses, it offers ‘straight forward drinking pleasure’ (Wine Advocate). From GD Vajra, one of the oldest and nicest families, their 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo is all crushed flowers and red fruit with ‘tons of charm’, notes Vinous.
Moving from Barolo closer to Barbaresco, Pio Cesare’s Langhe Nebbiolo from the iconic 2021 vintage is sure to turn heads. It offers bucketloads of elegance, with berries and violets, quiet power, and a beautiful structure. From the world’s best red wine co-operative, Produttori del Barbaresco’s 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo is made from declassified Barbaresco vineyards. Translucent, fragrant and mouth-watering, it’s ‘always a top class wine that overdelivers vintage after vintage. The 2023 release carries on this tradition,’ says Greg Sherwood MW.
If red wine isn’t for you, don’t despair. One of our best-selling white wines, Luigi Baudana Langhe Bianco Dragon 2023, is in stock and better than ever! ‘Pear, white flowers and tangerine oil inflections grace this expressive, mid-weight Bianco,’ writes Vinous.
Tasting Notes:
‘Here’s a new entry from M. Marengo. Born in a challenging vintage, the 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo has a glossy texture and some fruity fattiness that comes with hot and dry vintages. The wine is waxy on first nose, with bold fruit flavors of raw cherry and baked plum. It finishes on an easy and informal note. You get straightforward drinking pleasure from this bottle.’ – Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
‘The 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo is a tasty entry-level offering Vajra. Crushed flowers, sweet red cherry fruit, cedar and pipe tobacco give this open-knit, mid-weight Langhe Nebbiolo tons of charm.’ – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Pio Cesare Langhe Nebbiolo 2021
‘Shows richness, with mellowing cherry and raspberry flavors, plus accents of wild herbs and earth. There are ample tannins, yet this remains fresh and balanced, with fine length. Drink now.’ – Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator
Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo 2023
‘A very light translucent ruby red colour belies a wine that shows an intensely rich, ripe, fragrant fruit driven aromatics packed full of red plum jam, red cherry, Pink Lady red apples, and cranberry notes over earthy aniseed, fennel root spice and subtle cinchona quinine bark nuances. The palate entry is intense yet majestically soft and seamless with polished stony tannins that melt into a tangy, bright mouthwatering red cherry acidity. The finish is energetic and pithy, delicately phenolic with red apple spice, a delicate sapidity and a long juicy finely textured finish. Always a top class wine that overdelivers vintage after vintage, the 2023 release carries on this tradition.’ – Greg Sherwood MW, 92+/100
Luigi Baudana Langhe Bianco Dragon 2023
‘The 2023 Langhe Bianco Dragon is mostly Chardonnay, with touches of Sauvignon Blanc, Nascetta and Riesling. Pear, white flowers and tangerine oil inflections grace this expressive, mid-weight Bianco. Creamy, silky contours wrap it all together. Baudana’s Dragon has come a long, long way in recent years.’ – Antonio Galloni Vinous, 92/100
