1998 Vinalia (Nebbiolo)

640 cases produced in 750ml

The Vintage:
It is well known that 1998 was a lackluster vintage for Cabernet. Lucky for us, this isn't Cabernet. It was a fine vintage for other varietals. Pinot Noir did well as did our Nebbiolo based blend. In fact our '98 compares very favorably with our '97, which was well received. We grow this fruit in the Carneros, a cool climate, where the variation year to year seems less extreme. Nebbiolo ripens very late. This year was no exception and we picked weeks after everything else had been harvested.

The Vineyard:

Larry and Mike planted this vineyard in 1990. It is a little less than two acres so the quantity is limited. It is 80% Nebbiolo and 20% Sangiovese. It was one of those rare years where the two varietals had identical yields so the wine has the same proportions as the vineyard. The only way to make a Nebbiolo based wine is to plant it yourself as most growers will not put up with this temperamental varietal. At eight years of age the vineyard is mature, and producing a balanced wine.

Flavors and Food Pairings:
This is not a wine for neophytes or amateurs. It was not made for casual sipping at the bar. It is deeply dry and demands a rich dish to set it off. In Piedmont, the birthplace of Nebbiolo, this type of wine is most frequently served with grilled beef. This is the classic accompaniment. Pizza or a hamburger work almost as well. Rich food calms the flavors while allowing the complex aromas to evolve. This wine ages very slowly in the bottle so it has the advantage of tasting as good if not better the next day if you don't finish the bottle the night you open it.