2016 Le Pianelle Bramaterra

94 - 97 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous - The 2016 Bramaterra is drop-dead gorgeous. Utterly captivating in its aromatics and inner sweetness, the 2016 is insanely beautiful. Sweet red cherry, candy, iron, graphite, rose petal and blood orange are some of the many notes that come alive with a bit of aeration. I tasted the 2016 from two core lots, separarely, and then in a hypothetical blend. It is a hugely promising wine.

17.5 points, Walter Spelling, JancisRobinson.com - 70% Nebbiolo, 20% Croatina, 10% Vespolina and from a single vineyard planted on a small conical hill and hence with every exposure imaginable. Porphyry soils. Spontaneous fermentation in tronconic oak vats. Aged in the same vat for 18 months.

Just mid ruby. Amazing, perfumed red-fruit nose with touches of spice and oatmeal. Elegant, suave red fruit cut through by vibrant acidity and packed with firm, finely chiselled tannins. Great depth and with fantastic chewy tannins on the finish. Packs a punch but could do with another year in bottle.

From the winery - The Nebbiolo grape is the foundation (80%) of our flagship red wine ‘Bramaterra’ (DOC). Complemented by autochthonous grape varieties Croatina and Vespolina. The grapes are harvested exclusively by hand, with each grape variety and vineyard being processed individually. Followed by macaeration and fermentation in open Grenier oak vats. The young wine will then be matured for 18 month in a combination of used barrique barrels as well as large Stockinger oak barrels. The Bramaterra is finally kept on bottle for another 24 month before being released to market.