Thursday, May 21, 2009

Marengo Valmaggiore Nebbiolo D’Alba (2004) Piemonte


An easy-to-overindulge, headache-inducing Italian red wine from Azienda Agricola Mario Marengo, a low environmental impact/sustainable/natural practicing Piemontese winery. The winery is run by son Marco, who took over for his Father Mario after his passing in 2001. The winery produces about 5,000 bottles a year on their tiny, 1.5 hectare estate. They produce two, single vineyard Barolo’s; Brunate and Bricco Viole as well as small quantities of Dolcetto and the Nebbiolo d'Alba I enjoyed. The 2004 Valmaggiore (named after Marengo’s really tiny .38 hectare vineyard) is 100% Nebbiolo that I found unusually refreshing and fruity both on the nose and palate. The wine is vinified in stainless and aged for 18 months in oak barriques (30% new). Albeisa bottle. A couple of après-wine Advil knocked the headache right out. (maybe it was the lack of pesticides)

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