Connor Smith

9.5

#Nebbiolo is a surprisingly rare grape. Even in its native Piedmont, it accounts for only 8% of vineyard land. There are fewer than 100 hectares planted in the United States. 🕵️‍♂️🍇
Over 80% of prewar Italian immigrants came from Sicily and Southern Italy. Piedmont was the wealthiest and most politically dominant region. But if fortunes were reversed, could Nebbiolo have taken Primitivo/Zinfandel’s place as a grape relatively uncommon on the boot but dominant in California? 🤔🇮🇹🇺🇸
Probably not. The Nebbiolo vine is *not* for beginners. It flowers early and ripens late, making it susceptible to both spring and autumn frosts. It loves the occasional fog bath (some say the name is derived from ‘nebbia’, Italian for fog ☁️☁️☁️) but is prone to the mildew that may result from such humid conditions. Its fussiness would make Pinot Noir blush: it demands southwesterly exposure, a proper gradient, constant sun above, and fog licking at its toes. #diva
Sound anything like California’s Central Coast? 🌅
In the Santa Maria Valley, where the East-West Transverse Range bends back into the North-South Coastal Range, it’s possible. Vineyard selection still requires extreme discretion - an eye like @JimClendenen’s, perhaps.
Jim began the Nebbiolo program at the legendary #BienNacido vineyard in 1994. Production is small, but if you track down his “The Pip” Nebbiolo, it will only run you about $30. You’ll believe anything is possible when you have real California Nebbiolo of this quality come wafting out of the glass at you! 🙌🙌
🏞.“The Pip” is named after Jim’s old cellar dog Pip, a border collie. So it only seemed right to include one of our own pips! 🐈 — 5 years ago

Nick Dor

9.0

At la nebbia with my love :). Great Barbaresco from 2010 to go with amazeballz pizzas! — 9 years ago

Rhishi Pethe

9.5

Very good dessert wine. Strong character and taste. Might not be for everyone. — 10 years ago

Chelsea Heath

9.5

Excellent, earthy start developing into deep berries. — 5 years ago

Amanda Thomas

9.6

Complicated, not too sweet. Perfect end to a great crab dinner and salted caramel pot de creme dessert! — 7 years ago

with Tim

Imelda Parmer

9.5

Bought on a wine tasting trip near half moon bay — 9 years ago

Gordon Weiss

9.6

Good but not super bomb @le nebbia — 10 years ago

David Blattner

9.1

Super Bowl party wine. With sweet chili. Very pleased. — 7 years ago

Paul Scott

9.9

Really nice and rich with lovely tones. Goes great with a pasta dish carrying some heat. — 8 years ago

Ted Corvey

9.3

The Nebbiolo grape's name is derived from the Italian word "nebbia" meaning "fog." Some say that the grapes were named after the dense rolling fog that frequently falls over the lush vineyards of the Piedmont. Others, however, believe the grape's name refers to the hazy state this powerful wine leaves its drinkers in the next day - a belief I currently subscribe to. Liberally sampled this wine from large format bottles at a dinner party. Big and powerful tannins on the nose fall away in the mouth to a well balanced but still firm wine with flavors of black cherry, fine leather, and tar, followed by a delightful finish. Drinking well now but will become even more delicate as time passes. #winekylecandrink — 8 years ago