The Fourth Wave Wine team have outdone themselves here. Made by Danilo Drocco, (currently of Nino Negri but having spent more than 10 years at the celebrated Fontanafredda), this comes from Castiglione Falletto, one of the communes of the “Langa del Barolo.” Barolo is Italy’s answer to top flight Burgundy.

Maretti, Nebbiolo, Barolo, 2016

Opens with that wonderful rusticity and intensity of fine Nebbiolo. Leather, dried cherry, strawberry, bitter chocolate, forest floor, ash, graphite, touch of rosewater and vanilla bean. Intensity, focus and drive. Barolo’s grumbling nature provides tannins deep and chewy yet this retains a vitality and lift of sharp, bright acidity and fine length.  Beautifully balanced and weighted, this is an excellent value entry point to rabbit hole that is Barolo.

RRP: $60
Alc: 14.5%
Rating: 18.75/20 (94/100)

Wine sample courtesy of Fourth Wave Wine