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Luciano Sandrone Valmaggiore Nebbiolo d'Alba 2021

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Luciano Sandrone Valmaggiore Nebbiolo d'Alba 2021
Producer Luciano Sandrone
Region, Country Nebbiolo d'Alba, Italy
Bottle Size 750ml
Product Code 23219-750

Valmaggiore is a magical, three-hectare, amphitheatre-shaped vineyard in the Roero area of Piemonte. Now that Roero is rising in prominence, we can start to truly recognise what a pioneer Luciano Sandrone was in the region when he established Valmaggiore some 30 years ago. At this time nobody was talking about Roero (unless it was to disparage it), yet Sandrone recognised its potential, having worked with parcels of Roero fruit during his time as cellarmaster of Marchesi di Barolo. Sandrone worked tirelessly to identify a particular site, then to convince all the farmers on the slope to sell him their land, and finally, he had to convince the bank to fund his project. The risks were enormous; establishing an extremely steep vineyard (50% gradient in places), with such sandy soils (quick to dry out and erode) was always going to be a huge challenge, with no guarantee of quality. The land would also need to be terraced and replanted, requiring major investment. And all this in a place, outside of the Barolo region, that no one believed capable of greatness. Luciano Sandrone begged to differ.

The spectacularly beautiful Valmaggiore vineyard was planted to a relatively high density of 8,000 vines per hectare. The wines it gifted from the early days justified Sandrone’s dream: it’s always a remarkably perfumed and elegant expression of Nebbiolo, quite distinct from the denser, darker, more structured styles produced in the clay-rich soils of Barolo and Barbaresco. The wine has since gone from strength to strength as the vines have aged, and today is absolutely outstanding.

The site is farmed meticulously and organically, and strict sorting occurs each year to reach the level of purity and intensity we see in the glass. Fermentation occurs in tank, with malolactic conversion and maturation in old French demi-muid (with 9-12 months aging). Over the years this wine has developed a passionate following in Australia, and it deserves every plaudit. It is a unique wine of tremendous perfume, chalky texture and finesse; the energetic and mineral-etched 2021 is arguably the prettiest and most detailed vintage we have shipped. It is that good

Luciano Sandrone Valmaggiore Nebbiolo d'Alba 2021

Reviews

“The 2021 Nebbiolo d’Alba Valmaggiore is a serious, serious wine that needs time in the cellar to be at its best. It shows the lighter style of Nebbiolo from Roero, but with all the elements dialed up. I especially admire its mid-palate depth and overall resonance. Succulent red cherry, white pepper, cedar, mint and orange peel all take shape in this super-expressive Barolo.”
94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“Boasting a youthful and saturated ruby/magenta color, the 2021 Nebbiolo D'Alba Valmaggiore offers striking depth in its smoldering perfume of black raspberries, crushed violets, sweet tobacco, and incense. The palate offers a medium-bodied feel, with driving acidity and loads of citrus and orange peel through the finish.”
93 points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com
“Blood orange all the way through, head to toe, so pure in aroma, flavour and texture. The citrus skin lends a grip and tension and also a beautiful mouthwatering finish. Mint and cumin. Raspberries and strawberries. A hint of almond and rose hip. Wet clay tannin. But just pure. And ready to be admired. So very good.”
93 points, Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front

Reviews

“The 2021 Nebbiolo d’Alba Valmaggiore is a serious, serious wine that needs time in the cellar to be at its best. It shows the lighter style of Nebbiolo from Roero, but with all the elements dialed up. I especially admire its mid-palate depth and overall resonance. Succulent red cherry, white pepper, cedar, mint and orange peel all take shape in this super-expressive Barolo.”
94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“Boasting a youthful and saturated ruby/magenta color, the 2021 Nebbiolo D'Alba Valmaggiore offers striking depth in its smoldering perfume of black raspberries, crushed violets, sweet tobacco, and incense. The palate offers a medium-bodied feel, with driving acidity and loads of citrus and orange peel through the finish.”
93 points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com
“Blood orange all the way through, head to toe, so pure in aroma, flavour and texture. The citrus skin lends a grip and tension and also a beautiful mouthwatering finish. Mint and cumin. Raspberries and strawberries. A hint of almond and rose hip. Wet clay tannin. But just pure. And ready to be admired. So very good.”
93 points, Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front

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