DAMILANO Marghe Nebbiolo d'Alba 2009

                                                                        DOMBEK photo © 2012

DAMILANO
Marghe 2009
Nebbiolo d'Alba 
Piedmont, Italy

100% Nebbiolo

Here is another wine I've been enjoying for quite some time and finally getting around to sharing my thoughts on, especially since we're on the eve of Thanksgiving Holidays. This would be a unique and fabulous choice!

I've loved other wines from this producer and may now add this one to the list!  I've found the DAMILANO wines to be unique in character, with subtlety, depth and of course always food friendly.

This wine is burnt sienna in color with highlights of garnet, like the forest floor in autumn.  On the nose, heady aromas of aged balsamic, mossy earth, star anise, clove and spicy fruit, along with hints of cedar and light perfume of violets;  One can almost drink the nose!  On the palate plum, cranberry, dark bing cherry and a hint of dusty cocoa as well as red/black licorice.  This is well integrated, having a smooth harmonious mouth feel and dry finish. It comes alive when paired with food.  As well as your Holiday turkey, enjoy with roasts and braised meats, along with rustic cheeses.  Aging potential (2011-2017). A great value @ $14.99 (Whole Foods).

The region of Piedmont is located in the northwestern part of Italy.  Red wines are the favorites here, where Nebbiolo is the premier grape varietal as well as the oldest and most noble.  It is also used also to make the great Barolo and Barbaresco wines.   Thought to have taken its name from the Italian word for fog, "nebbia", a common site in the hills of Alba in early to mid-October when this late-ripening variety is harvest, it's often called the "queen of black grapes" due to the meticulous and laborious care taken in the process.

DAMILANO winery, one of the historic cellars from Barolo, has ancient traditions.  Four generations of winemakers in the family date back to 1890, when Giuseppe Borgogno, great-grandfather to today's generation, began to grow and vinify vines.  Their traditions continue today, producing the classical Langhe wines.  

The 2009 vintage of this wine features a label celebrating the memory of Margherita Damilano, a beloved family member.

This wine comes to us through VIAS Imports, Ltd., NY, NY. via Pine State Beverage Co., ME. Find it at Whole Foods (ask Colleen!) and Rosemont Markets (Yarmouth & Brighton) in Portland. Also available at the Wine Cellar in Rockland.  ENJOY!