(2023) A typically understated Nas-Cëtta from a family estate, who's first Nas-Cëtta was released from the 2018 vintage. This is a nicely dry, salty and apple-fruited example, but the palate broadens slightly, a sense of mealiness and richness undercut by those zipping citrus flavours and acidity. Really quite bracing, this was one of my favourites for its invigorating style with a little weight too. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.
(2023) Passone began as grape growers and have been bottling their own wines only since the 2019 vintage, starting with this Nas-cëtta. A lttle depth to the straw-green colour, the nose a touch more figgy and apricotty than some, intense and vivid fruit on the palate, an incisive lime and Seville oragne zest acidity and again that figgy/nutty richer element to the apple fruit. Zingy stuff, perhaps not so refined as some here, but striking and tasty. No UK stockists at time of review.
(2022) A herby and lemony Nas-Cëtta, not particularly aromatic, but mineral and fresh. Quite full of the palate, lots of bitter lemon twisting through the finish, after a fatter lemon palate.
(2021) Described by La Scolca as the most tradtional of their Gavis. It is 100% Cortese from the high hills of Rovereto Superiore di Gavi, this is feather-light with 12% alcohol and delicate citrus, fresh-cut apple and some floral nuances. In the mouth it has a fine, juicy, mouth-watering core that is citrus again, but not aggressive, something more peachy comes in as the slightly saline acid fills the finish to give a little richness.
(2019) A single estate wine made from the Cortese grape, this comes from Banfi's vineyards in Piedmont. It's a gentle wine, opening with soft and discreet notes of yellow plum and pear, a touch of lime perhaps. In the mouth there's a sweet concentration of fruit, and a very good, vibrant, tangy bite of juicy lime fruit and acidity, a touch of green apple too into a lingering, fruit-dominated finish. I was given an RRP of £17.99 for this, but at its sub-£15 price it's a better proposition.
(2019) While Nebbiolo is the easy answer to 'what is Piedmont's greatest red wine grape', Nascetta has begun to slug it out with Gavi and Arneis as cream of the white wine crop. Aged six months in older oak barrels, this majors on fresh and very subtly floral aromatics, nutty apple and a barrel-derived creaminess. Quite full-bodied and rich on the palate, there's good concentration here, perhaps a little reminiscent of a Rhône white - a Roussanne/Marsanne blend maybe, generous, fat fruit and acidity, but that nutty, creamy texture extends to the finish, dry mineral and apple core acidity balancing very nicely.
(2014) With a modest 12.5% abv and from vineyards near Alba, this wine is made in stainless steel and is all about the delicate, spearmint-touched, floral, acacia and crisp apple fruit of the 100% Arneis. On the palate there is delicious sweetness, or rather ripeness, with lemon the driving flavour, but there is subtlety and complexity, with hints of spices, rosy red apple and always a mineral undertow.
(2012) It's a Sauvignon Blanc, but coming from the Langhe region that makes it a relatively rare beast. The nose has a herbal influence (the wine's name, Basarico, means 'basil' in local dialect) as well as fresh lemon and apple peel, suggesting a bit of weight and richness. It's a Sauvignon more akin to Sancerre than Marlborough in style, though in the mouth the fruit is sweet and full, really filling the mouth with texture. With very good acidity in the finish and that fruit-filled mid-palate, a lovely food wine and a nice to try something a little bit different. A Wine of the Week recently, see my full video review.
(2012) Favorita is the indigenous grape variety, and one we see rarely on labels. Widely believed to be related to Vermentino, plantings have been declining even in its stronghold of Roero, in favour of Arneis and some international varieties. It has a delicate, blossom, lemon and mineral nose, all very discreet and refined. On the palate there's a delicious apple crunch and crispness, the wine showing plenty of racy citrus acidity, light- to medium-body (with only 12.5% alcohol) and a nicely fresh and fruity finish.
