A couple of years ago, I “hash tagged” the word #NebbiYOLO on social media. A parody mash-up of the word Nebbiolo and the lower class zeitgeist catchcry YOLO (You Only Live Once.) Anyway, enough of that rubbish. The great Barolo wines are made from Nebbiolo and still have an underdog status against Grand Cru Burgundy, but those in the know understand their dollars may be better spent with the wines from Piedmont, once they finally get to market. So here we have Pizzini’s Grand Cru Nebbiolo, released locally and for a less dollars.

Pizzini, Nebbiolo, King Valley 2012

Good “Neb” colour: Garnet red in the glass with light edges. Powerful nose: Sweet treacle and meaty cooking pan juices balanced by dried flowers, wine gums, plum syrup and asphalt. A creamy/ milky/bittersweet coffee oxymoron comes through also. Demanding palate: Square shouldered and dominant. Spiced to to the hilt, while plum fruit ekes an existence before being “shut down” with nebulosity mesh wall of tannin. Give it 5 years before opening.

RRP: $55

Alc: 13.5%

Wine sample courtesy of Pizzini wines