2013 Domenico Clerico Spanna Costa Sesia Nebbiolo

Region: Lessona < Piemonte < Italy

Grape: Nebbiolo

Vineyard/cellar stats: Biodynamic farming; 40-year old vines on ancient marine sand soils; 40-day skin maceration then aged in barrel for at least one year, and an additional 4 months in stainless steel, before bottling, unfined and unfiltered; 12.5% ABV; 125 cases

Winemaker: Concetta Clerico

MOUNTAIN MAGIC: This wine hails from the Lessona DOCG in the Alto Piemonte region, high up in the foothills of the Italian alps where the river Sesia brings the cooling waters of the mountains and Northern Italy's great lakes to the thirsty vineyards.

The Clerico family, having worked the land here since the 1700s, is one of the first to bring cache to the Alto Piemonte, a cluster of lesser-known DOC regions that gets none of the spotlight of the more famous Barolo.  Their wine, made only from grapes grown in their own biodynamic vineyards, rival Barolo in terms of quality and age-ability. Here, the Nebbiolo, known by its local name “Spanna”, thrives on the poor soils, cool temps and long growing season of this high-altitude region.  All of these things ensure that the grapes get perfectly ripe while retaining their huge acidity - important for maintaining freshness as the wine ages.  

So, we’re loving this single-vineyard Nebbiolo, which is now in the sweet spot with 6 years of age. It drinks like a lean, elegant, feminine  Barolo, with those dusty tannins, rose and violet notes. Such a special wine, and an incredible deal at less than 40 bucks. Impress your guests or friends by popping this at the holiday table!