2018 Travaglini Nebbiolo Coste della Sesia Piedmont

"Travaglini's entry-level Nebbiolo offers terrific value, especially in this balanced and fruit-forward vintage. The wine boats beautiful, youthful exuberance with distinct purity and Nebbiolo authenticity. If you love this noble grape from Piedmont and want to pair it with, say, your favorite flatbread or pizza, this is your wine."~ Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The Travaglini family has owned land in Gattinara since the beginning of the 19th century. The vines here are some of the most spectacular in the world, overlooking the Alps.The family farmed a few hectares of land and produced wine for local consumption. The small winery started with Clemente Travaglini, who was succeeded by his son Arturo. It was not until 1958 however, when Arturo’s son, Giancarlo, established the eponymous Travaglini Estate Winery. It was Giancarlo who recognized a greater potential in Gattinara and executed groundbreaking changes in his vineyards and cellar, unseen before in the appellation. He pioneered research into improving viticultural methods, such as high-density planting, 100% hand-harvesting, and Guyot vine training; today commonly practiced throughout the Appellation. His passion for Nebbiolo helped raise the profile of Gattinara, a commitment that has been carried on through the generations.

Driven by a passion for exceptional Nebbiolo, the Travaglini family has been producing remarkable, limited-production wines from their eponymous estate in Gattinara for four generations. Gattinara plays an important role in Italian viticulture, but until a couple of decades after the turn of the century, this beautiful region of Alto Piemonte was nearly forgotten. A winemaking region older than Barolo, Gattinara covered almost 600 hectares by the end of the 1800s, making it one of the largest in Northern Europe. The phylloxera plague, coupled with a devastating hail storm in 1905, completely destroyed the region, and wine production in Gattinara was abandoned.

This small appellation lies in the rocky foothills of the Monte Rosa range, where ventilating winds blow down from the nearby Alps. Soils are rocky and rich in porphyry, granite, and iron, imparting a reddish color in the soil. Similar in composition to the Alps, Monte Rosa’s sedimentary rocks is highly acidic, due to low levels of calcium carbonate and magnesium, and an absence of calcium. Vines grown in this rare soil produce grapes with a unique flavor profile, as well as high acidity and tannins. Its northern, mountainous location experiences a continental climate, with very cold winters, warm, sunny summers, and a strong diurnal temperature shift.

If you love Nebbiolo, you must try the Nebbiolo that is grown in the foothills of the Alps. The northern versions in and around Carema and Gattinara are the most Pinot Noir-esque in that they are more refined, lighter in body, with redolent elegance.

 100% Nebbiolo. Versatile and young, this wine has refreshing acidity and soft tannins. Deep ruby red color with garnet reflections. On the nose, aromas of red fruit, blackberry, plum and licorice with hints of vanilla and leather. On the palate, full-bodied, with intense flavors of cherry, raspberry and spice culminating in a long and smooth finish. Outstanding with red meat, game and hard cheeses.

A beautiful nebbiolo with bright tulips, rose petals and orange zest. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and lots of pinot-like fragrances. Tangy, fruity and ever so delicious. ~91 James Suckling

Travaglini's entry-level Nebbiolo offers terrific value, especially in this balanced and fruit-forward vintage. The 2018 Nebbiolo Coste della Sesia opens to a point of dark fruit, like blackberries or black cherries, followed by sweet peach or apricot. The wine boats beautiful, youthful exuberance with distinct purity and Nebbiolo authenticity. The finish is streamlined and moderate in terms of length, but no matter. If you love this noble grape from Piedmont and want to pair it with, say, your favorite flatbread or pizza, this is your wine. ~91 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Cherry, licorice and earth flavors combine in this supple red. A solid backbone emerges and overall this is vibrant, balanced and long. Drink now through 2024. 900 cases made, 900 cases imported.~90 Wine Spectator

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