Adjacent profile wise to Northern Rhone: gamey, mineral & earthiness to it’s core; it’s the decaying rose petals, & hibiscus edges (& lighter shades) that point to its true, Nebbiolo soul. I’ve heard some wine folks mourn the loss of the original Valana, & that the younger family upstarts can’t come close to the originals. I don’t know, but for about 25$ this is is dang-it good Alpine red.
Adjacent profile wise to Northern Rhone: gamey, mineral & earthiness to it’s core; it’s the decaying rose petals, & hibiscus edges (& lighter shades) that point to its true, Nebbiolo soul. I’ve heard some wine folks mourn the loss of the original Valana, & that the younger family upstarts can’t come close to the originals. I don’t know, but for about 25$ this is is dang-it good Alpine red.
Oct 27th, 2023Breaking out the 2016 alpine catnip as the weather warms-shared with friends outside at sunset. Raspberry color with orange hue, on palate rose hips, hibiscus, violets- some sour patch candy; all high toned but we were in outside temp.. I imagine with decanting & drinking in more moderate weather the baritone notes will come out more.
Breaking out the 2016 alpine catnip as the weather warms-shared with friends outside at sunset. Raspberry color with orange hue, on palate rose hips, hibiscus, violets- some sour patch candy; all high toned but we were in outside temp.. I imagine with decanting & drinking in more moderate weather the baritone notes will come out more.
Mar 27th, 2021
Very well made leaner “food” style Nebbiolo. Light color and light intensity nose has tart macerated cherry, old barrel scents, spice, and warm gravel. A bit on the austere side, with a touch of astringency at the end, but that’s going nicely with pappardelle in a rich meat sauce. Nice acids and noticeable but not overbearing tannins.
Very well made leaner “food” style Nebbiolo. Light color and light intensity nose has tart macerated cherry, old barrel scents, spice, and warm gravel. A bit on the austere side, with a touch of astringency at the end, but that’s going nicely with pappardelle in a rich meat sauce. Nice acids and noticeable but not overbearing tannins.
1 person found it helpfulSep 5th, 2022
Slow ox 24 hours and the grippy astringent menthol becomes silky smooth cherry fruit punch.
Slow ox 24 hours and the grippy astringent menthol becomes silky smooth cherry fruit punch.
1 person found it helpfulDec 4th, 2020
Fantastic. Nose is elemental at this point with cherries, violets, perfume, and minerals, but still closed. Palate is packed with young Nebbiolo greatness. Red-fruited concentration, acidity, prickly tannins. No doubt this is a 30 year wine. 9.2++
Fantastic. Nose is elemental at this point with cherries, violets, perfume, and minerals, but still closed. Palate is packed with young Nebbiolo greatness. Red-fruited concentration, acidity, prickly tannins. No doubt this is a 30 year wine. 9.2++
1 person found it helpfulNov 10th, 2020Very close to my idea of a desert island wine. At 13% it has more smooth edges but that lovely thread of acidity common to its more expensive & jagged Vallana cousins. Dark red fruits, violets, tree bark. Juicy too, the tannins are pretty integrated. Skurnik importer.
Very close to my idea of a desert island wine. At 13% it has more smooth edges but that lovely thread of acidity common to its more expensive & jagged Vallana cousins. Dark red fruits, violets, tree bark. Juicy too, the tannins are pretty integrated. Skurnik importer.
1 person found it helpfulMay 2nd, 2020
Herbs, light red fruit, mineral, light tar
Herbs, light red fruit, mineral, light tar
1 person found it helpfulAug 23rd, 2018
Vallana just killed it with this bottling! Tart red fruit, liquid rocks, Alpine herb and mineral. For me, one of the best $30 bottles out there!
Vallana just killed it with this bottling! Tart red fruit, liquid rocks, Alpine herb and mineral. For me, one of the best $30 bottles out there!
1 person found it helpfulApr 16th, 2016I thought a bit tired & closed. Perhaps needed a decent decant
I thought a bit tired & closed. Perhaps needed a decent decant
Jan 8th, 2017
Very tight with a tar, herbal and black and Bing cherry - quite good.
Very tight with a tar, herbal and black and Bing cherry - quite good.
Sep 9th, 2016
Boca, Novara, Piedmont, Italy
