Date of visit: June 14, 2024
During our last visit to Ferdinando Principiano, Ferdinando and Nicolò were kind enough to take us into the vineyards, and we were able to see Ravera di Monforte, Boscareto, and Montagliato first hand. After a visit to the vineyards we went back to the tasting room to taste the wine which comes from these amazing sites which we just visited. For more information about this outstanding producer, please refer back to our previous visits here: 2023, 2022, as well as PortoVino’s website.
Tasting notes:
2023 Langhe Rosso: Made from 100% Slarina. Very expressive aromas of black and white pepper, pine, fresh red berries, lavender, roses, and wild herbs, all of which carries over to the palate, which is juicy, light, and very elegant. Extremely enjoyable, and somewhat reminiscent of Pelaverga.
2022 Dolcetto d’Alba: Pronounced aromas of red and black berries which carries over to the palate, which is tart, juicy, and very fresh. This is light and refreshing, with delicate tannins which dissipate quickly.
2021 Barbera d’Alba Laura: Ferdinando produces two examples of Barbera d’Alba; the “Laura” bottling is made from 90 year old vines, sourced from just 10 rows, located in Ravera di Monforte in Monforte d’Alba. It’s aged in Tonneaux for one year, and it’s bottled one year after the classic Barbera d’Alba. Just 400 liters are produced. Concentrated aromas of balsamic, cherries, anise, and licorice. The palate is juicy, and filled with mouth staining red fruit, and some balsamic notes. Vibrant acidity, with very fine tannins which dance along your tongue. A truly extraordinary Barbera that’s in a league of its own. We could drink this all day.
2022 Langhe Nebbiolo: Notes of cut grass, hay, red berries, licorice, and mushrooms on the nose. The palate delivers crushed cherries alongside fine teeth coating tannins, which are nicely integrated.
2020 Barolo di Comune Serralunga d’Alba: Captivating aromas of fresh crushed juicy red fruits, rosemary, wild herbs, roses, lavender, and hints or tar and new leather. The palate is incredibly elegant, fresh, and very approachable today. Bright acidity, with very fine silky tannins, this wine finishes very clean.
2020 Barolo Ravera di Monforte: Alluring aromas of fresh crushed cherries and anise, along with floral and herbal notes, and hints of forest floor, pine, and mint, all fused together in perfect harmony. The aromas alone make you want to sit with a glass of this all day and enjoy as it unfolds. This is juicy, complex, and beautifully balanced. It’s smooth on the palate, and finishes clean and very persistent.
2019 Barolo Boscareto: This spends the same amount of time in oak as Principiano’s other Barolo, but spends one additional year in bottle prior to release. The nose is masculine and filled with notes of leather, licorice, anise, crushed cherries, fresh oregano, and a hint of balsamic. The palate is incredibly structured, well balanced, and displays a great purity of fruit. It’s very enjoyable now, but it will reward those who wait another 10 years or so. This is a very serious, and truly magnificent Barolo.
Thank You
As always, grazie mille Ferdinando and Nicolò for inviting us back, and sharing your incredible wines with us. The work that you’re doing is really amazing, and it shows in the wines that you produce. We hope to see you again soon. A presto!
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