Albino Rocca Nebbiolo d'Alba 2023

Like most Rocca wines, the Nebbiolo d’Alba comes from a single vineyard—a parcel between Barolo and Barbaresco in the westernmost section of the Seno d'Elvio subzone. Aptly, and with a Tolkien flourish, this area is known locally as Terra di Mezzo: Middle Earth. The Nebbiolo vines range from 15 to 60 years old, and the Rocca family matures this wine for 12 months in large Austrian and German oak casks.

Rocca’s Nebbiolo d’Alba perennially offers outstanding depth and interest. This ‘baby Barbaresco’ is a preview of what to expect from the Barbaresco which will be released the following year. Already enticing, expect waves of strawberry and wild berry sweetness alongside blonde tobacco and dried herb notes. All this loveliness is carefully framed by supple, velvety tannins. It’s a classy wine for the level, with a surprising measure of purity and finesse. Nebbiolo’s elusive beauty doesn’t tend to come cheap, but here it does.