Brett happens

…to bring you the following public service announcement.

This arrived at the SAQ during the week of April 15th. There’s still quite a bit around but, barring a restocking, several outlets have already sold out.

Langhe 2011, Nebbiolo, Produttori del Barbaresco ($22.55, 11383617)
100% Nebbiolo from young vines, all of which are located within the Barbaresco DOC. Fermented with selected “Barolo” yeasts at 28ºC in stainless steel tanks. Macerated on the skins for 24 days. Matured six months in very large oak barrels. No fining, light filtering, minimal sulphur dioxide. 14.5% ABV according to the label; 13.5% ABV according to the SAQ (I suspect the label is closer to the truth).
The expected ripe fruit is there but less upfront than usual, on equal footing with a set of savoury aromas that include spice box, autumn leaves, brick dust, dried herbs, slate and earth. In December, the cooperative’s managing director Aldo Vacca described the 2011 vintage as “extremely ripe,” and that’s immediately apparent in the wine’s texture: while as medium-bodied and silky as ever, it also has a liqueur-like feel that finds an echo in the intense core of sour cherry fruit. Yet the wine is very dry, with racy acidity and fine if astringent tannins. A mineral vein runs throughout and is joined by an old wood note on the long finish. More potent and less charming than the 2010 but every bit as balanced and satisfying. Tasted the next day, the tail end of the bottle was more integrated and quite Barbaresco-like in its power if not depth. Will probably be even better in six months or a year and probably has the potential to keep for a few years beyond that. Serve at cool room temperature and carafe if drinking now. (Buy again? Of course.)