2015 Nervi Gattinara Conterno

For the red, the 2015 Gattinara from Nervi-Conterno did the trick. Again, this surpassed my expectations. The aromatics are fulsome and generous, with red cherries, strawberry and a splash of soy. The palate is more malleable than I thought, fleshy on the midpalate with an almost Pinot-like finish. Does it need longer in bottle? Not judging by the showing on this evening.

Deceptively medium in body, the 2015 Gattinara packs a real punch. Then again, the estate did not bottle their single vineyard Gattinaras in this vintage. Powerful and deep in the glass, the 2015 is supported by its depth and a core of big tannins that need at least a few years to settle down.

The weather in Gattinara is often unexpected. For example, in 2017 it rained more in this area than it did in Barolo. This vintage was more tempered, and this 2015 Gattinara comes across as pretty, elegant and soft, with light notes of berries and a pretty ashy signature. This particular expression of Nebbiolo would be a good choice for lamb.