2011 Poderi Aldo Conterno Il Favot Nebbiolo Langhe DOC, Piedmont

Made from both Michet and Lampia clones of Nebbiolo, the grapes used to make ‘Il Favot’ come from vines throughout Bussia that have undergone periodic replanting and have a maximum age of 20 years. Fermented in stainless steel, the wine spends 5-6 months in the tanks before being racked off into 100% new French-oak barriques where it ages for 18 months.

Conterno’s Langhe Nebbiolo Il Favot is a good introduction to the wines of this historic estate. Sweet red berries, flowers, French oak, anise and tobacco waft from the glass. This is a decidedly medium-bodied, fragrant wine. The Favot is Conterno’s entry-level Nebbiolo and is made from the estate’s younger vineyards, all of which are typically less than 20 years old. It is the only Nebbiolo aged in French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2018.