Wine Details
Blend: 100% Nebbiolo
Bottled: June 2006
Brix: 22°
Acidity: 7.5 g/l
Ph: 3.0 pH
Total Production: 200 cases
Cases Remaining: cases
Prices: $29/bottle $313.2/case
Tasting Notes
Nebbiolo is the most prized red grape variety in Northern Italy but is still relatively rare in the United States. In Italy, Nebbiolo is the vine behind the great Barolos and Barbarescos of the Piedmont region. Wilridge was the second winery in Washington State to produce Nebbiolo and the vines for the 2007 are over twenty-five years old. The result is a wine that is classic brick red in color but with more power than most light colored red wines. Think Pinot Noir with more tannic punch. Italians say Nebbiolo is a "steel fist in a velvet glove" and they will age Nebbiolo wines for years and years. As they get older, Nebbiolos develop amazingly complex aromas. Wilridge's earliest vintages of Nebbiolo continue to age well and we suggest you lay down some bottles in your cellar.
Vineyard Notes
In 2007, Wilridge planted Nebbiolo at its new Estate Vineyard on Naches Heights near Yakima. At 1,650 feet in elevation, it's the highest Nebbiolo in Washington, but is similarin this regard to the Nebbiolo vineyards of Italy that are tucked into the base of the Alps. Wilridge Vineyard is at the same altitude and latitude as Piedmont and is protected by the Cascades like the Alps protect Piedmont. In 2004, Wilridge winemaker Paul Beveridge represented Washington State at the Consorzio di Nebbiolo in Valtellina, Italy.
Accliam for Wilridge Nebbiolo
Wilridge Nebbiolo was named "best Nebbiolo made outside of Italy" at the conference. Says Paul: "The Italians respected my Nebbiolo because it had good varietal character, but they did not feel threatened by it either. We will have to keep working to meet the bar set by Barolo and Barbaresco, and we plan to have fun trying.
"Nebbiolo" is old Italian dialect for "Noble." In Italy, Nebbiolo is called the "Wine of Kings."
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Related News & Accolades
93
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Loves Wilridge!
"Succulent fruit, plenty of spice, and impeccable balance make for a classy red blend." 91 Points -- Wine Advocate