10/13/17 Barbera & Piedmont Wines - Cellar Door Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
Olim Bauda's Barbera & Piedmont wines Special Guest Gianni Bertolino from Olim Bauda
Today October 13 from 1:30 - 6:30
Olim Bauda's Barbera & Piedmont wines Special Guest Gianni Bertolino from Olim Bauda
Today October 13 from 1:30 - 6:30
(Gianni will arrive at 3:30, I'll have the wines ready to taste at 1:30)
Join us today for an extra special Friday Sips as we have Gianni Bertolini in house pouring wines from his family's Piedmont estate. Olim Bauda is one of the Asti region's most acclaimed producers and the five wines (4 reds, 1 white) that will be featured are excellent in both quality and price.
Join us today for an extra special Friday Sips as we have Gianni Bertolini in house pouring wines from his family's Piedmont estate. Olim Bauda is one of the Asti region's most acclaimed producers and the five wines (4 reds, 1 white) that will be featured are excellent in both quality and price.
2015 OLIM BAUDA BARBERA D'ASTI
'LA VILLA'
$12.99 BTL./$77.94 - SIX PACK
'LA VILLA'
$12.99 BTL./$77.94 - SIX PACK
Safe to say meeting Gianni Bertolini today (10-13-17) and experiencing his family's wines is a most educational way to learn more about his region. The estate itself is located in Incisa Scapaccino and the range of wines that we are fortunate to offer is breathtaking on all price points.
Year in and year out, this unoaked version is the best damn Barbera value that I sell – and 2015 has a little extra push and soul. Resoundingly fresh with smoky-earthy tones wrapped around vibrant but penetrating, hearty strawberry and cranberry characteristics. The warmth of this vintage really provides an extra level of depth. Terrific with salami, pizza or a pasta with a tomato and/or meat sauce.
Year in and year out, this unoaked version is the best damn Barbera value that I sell – and 2015 has a little extra push and soul. Resoundingly fresh with smoky-earthy tones wrapped around vibrant but penetrating, hearty strawberry and cranberry characteristics. The warmth of this vintage really provides an extra level of depth. Terrific with salami, pizza or a pasta with a tomato and/or meat sauce.
2013 OLIM BAUDA BARBERA D'ASTI
'LE ROCCHETTE'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
'LE ROCCHETTE'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
From the eponymous-named vineyard in Isole d'Asti whose vines were planted in 1950, instantaneously one can discover that this wine steps it up a level or six! Vinous, driving nose of hearty huckleberry, mineral, gentle kisses of fennel, tobacco and underlying cherry pit character.
A luminous full presence of depth and vividness follows through to a drawn-out lavish finish that displays hints of milk chocolate, coffee and plenty of fullness while maintaining poise and freshness. Lingering, this wine is a steal for 20 bucks. I love the Italian newspaper La Repubblica has to say about it: ‘Velvety, spicy, immediate but by no means average, this is the Barbera for everyone’.
A luminous full presence of depth and vividness follows through to a drawn-out lavish finish that displays hints of milk chocolate, coffee and plenty of fullness while maintaining poise and freshness. Lingering, this wine is a steal for 20 bucks. I love the Italian newspaper La Repubblica has to say about it: ‘Velvety, spicy, immediate but by no means average, this is the Barbera for everyone’.
2013 OLIM BAUDA BARBERA D'ASTI
'NIZZA' SUPERIORE
$31.99 BTL./$191.94 - SIX PACK
'NIZZA' SUPERIORE
$31.99 BTL./$191.94 - SIX PACK
Packed, deft and built to age, the Nizza bottling from Olim Bauda is their most special Barbera and is only offered in appropriately good vintages - like 2013! From low-yielding vineyards within the Olim Bauda estate, this wine is packed and chock full of character.
Released like a Riserva and aged 30 months in French oak up to 2500 liters, this fully packed Barbera is alluring and robust revealing typical Asti traits. Layered and symphonic, Olim Bauda’s Nizza runs the gamut of complexity from blackberry fruit, red plum and chocolate dust to asphalt and tones. The finish is ultra-long after coating the entire palate with sheer nobleness and is lifted by cranberry-like freshness. This wine is ultra-sexy now and will continue to develop and drink well through 2026. One of the Muhammed Ali level Barbera wines that is a must for any Piedmont drinker and collector.
Released like a Riserva and aged 30 months in French oak up to 2500 liters, this fully packed Barbera is alluring and robust revealing typical Asti traits. Layered and symphonic, Olim Bauda’s Nizza runs the gamut of complexity from blackberry fruit, red plum and chocolate dust to asphalt and tones. The finish is ultra-long after coating the entire palate with sheer nobleness and is lifted by cranberry-like freshness. This wine is ultra-sexy now and will continue to develop and drink well through 2026. One of the Muhammed Ali level Barbera wines that is a must for any Piedmont drinker and collector.
2013 OLIM BAUDA NEBBIOLO D'ALBA
'SAN PIETRO'
$17.99 BTL./$107.94 - SIX PACK
'SAN PIETRO'
$17.99 BTL./$107.94 - SIX PACK
Even though the Bertolino family are associated with Barbera and based in the Asti region, winemaker Dino (Gianni’s brother) wanted to take on the challenge of the Nebbiolo grape and this led him to the Roero area of the Langhe.
Assertive and classic aromas of mushroom, turned earth, dried cherry, herbs, asphalt and sinister spice lead into a texture that is firmly focused with red fruits dominating and filling the mouth. The finish shows plenty of Nebbiolo grip and verticality as well as a packed, but impressive finish that is very indicative of a classic vintage like 2013, one that is somewhat 1996 or 2004. Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Assertive and classic aromas of mushroom, turned earth, dried cherry, herbs, asphalt and sinister spice lead into a texture that is firmly focused with red fruits dominating and filling the mouth. The finish shows plenty of Nebbiolo grip and verticality as well as a packed, but impressive finish that is very indicative of a classic vintage like 2013, one that is somewhat 1996 or 2004. Drink over the next 4-5 years.
2016 OLIM BAUDA GAVI DI GAVI
$16.99 BTL./$101.94 - SIX PACK
$16.99 BTL./$101.94 - SIX PACK
There is Gavi and then there is Gavi made specifically from the commune of Gavi, the traditional area in Piedmont for the Cortese grape. Grown at 1000 feet in the Gavi region of Piemonte, this devastatingly delicious white wine at 12.5% alcohol is a righteous choice for many who appreciate and love brisk, pure and unoaked white wines.
The clay & marl-based soils shine however; powdery citrus (lime) scents intermingle nicely with mineral on the nose and carry over to an attacking texture that has no shortage of thrust and saline qualities. Lovely briskness buffers the surprisingly penetrating components, especially on the finish. This blazing white absolutely screams out for crab…although mussels or a seafood risotto with green vegetables will do extremely well.
The clay & marl-based soils shine however; powdery citrus (lime) scents intermingle nicely with mineral on the nose and carry over to an attacking texture that has no shortage of thrust and saline qualities. Lovely briskness buffers the surprisingly penetrating components, especially on the finish. This blazing white absolutely screams out for crab…although mussels or a seafood risotto with green vegetables will do extremely well.
