2023 La Ca' Nova Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont

The 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo is another solid effort from La Ca' Nova. Crushed rose petal, orange peel and sweet red-toned fruits are some of the notes that grace this lifted, medium-bodied Langhe Nebbiolo. There's plenty to like, starting with the wine's approachability.

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In the heart of Barbaresco country, La Ca’ Nova has long been a quiet guardian of traditional Piedmontese winemaking. The Rocca family has farmed vineyards around the village for generations, focusing on authenticity, patience and minimal manipulation in both vineyard and cellar. Their Langhe Nebbiolo draws on fruit from younger vines grown in the same prized limestone and clay soils that shape their Barbaresco bottlings, offering a wonderfully pure and approachable expression of the grape while still carrying that unmistakable sense of place.

A vibrant garnet red with youthful brightness sets the tone. Aromas lift easily from the glass with sour cherry, redcurrant and wild strawberry layered over rose petal, dried sage and a gentle hint of tar and spice. There is a charming rusticity here that feels honest and inviting. The palate is medium bodied and energetic, red berry fruit gliding across fine grained tannins with notes of blood orange, liquorice and earthy minerality adding depth. Fresh acidity keeps the wine lively and food friendly, finishing long and savoury with a lingering floral echo.

This is the kind of Nebbiolo that makes everyday Italian cooking feel like a celebration. Think pizza topped with prosciutto and rocket, mushroom risotto, braised rabbit or simple pasta with tomato and basil. Delicious now with a brief decant, yet capable of evolving for five to seven years as dried flower, leather and forest floor complexity begins to emerge. A graceful and authentic Langhe Nebbiolo that showcases the timeless charm of Barbaresco’s surrounds.