2009 Ruggeri Corsini Langhe Nebbiolo (Previously $18)

We call this wine a baby Barolo, but really this wine stands on its own. On the nose there are violets and even some tar, along with really balanced and focused fruit on the palate. Maybe it was the setting, but having this in Yellowstone was a sort of revelation for me. Nebbiolo remains one of my favorite varietals, and when done right - and especially at this price - it's clearly going to remain one of my favorites.

The greatest wines of Piedmont, in northern Italy – Barolo and Barbaresco – are 100% nebbiolo. Unfortunately they typically require many years in the cellar before they are ready to drink. And they are expensive. So, if you want to get to know this grape without spending $80 to $120 or more and then waiting for 20 years for the wines to mature, you need to find a great nebbiolo wine from the Langhe, for example the 2009 Ruggeri Corsini Langhe Nebbiolo. For less than $20 you get a traditional nebbiolo you can drink tonight. I took a bottle home recently to taste. Textbook varietal aromas of violets and tar emerge from the glass. The wine is medium bodied with tart red berry fruits. A bit of tannic grip on the finish reveals classic nebbiolo character. Tasted again the following day the wine had added weight and richness with fleshier sour cherry notes. Try this with braised beef ragu with penne pasta or porcini mushroom risotto with truffle oil.