Antoniolo. Gattinara Riserva

Gattinara Riserva DOCG
Grape: Nebbiolo

2018. Fine and forward, an immediate and joyous wine with almost welcoming tannins and a lovely bracing freshness. (under 12 bottles left)
Vinous - The 2018 Gattinara Riserva is seriously impressive, especially considering it is Antoniolo`s entry-level Gattinara. Deep, layered and dynamic in the glass, the 2018 has so much to offer. Macerated red cherry, menthol, licorice, spice, cedar and leather fill out the layers. This is all class—the hidden gem in this range.

2019. A personal favourite, we have held back a few cases to release at a suitable time.

2020. The 2020 vintage was all going so well, the pickers were booked for Monday, then hail arrived on the Friday, so all hands to the deck on Saturday and the crop was picked, an excellent, if rushed vintage.  Bunches were carefully sorted before a wild yeast fermentation in concrete tanks, with skins for 18 days.  This wine is then aged for 36 months in botti (20hl).
An open-handed powerhouse Gattinara with ripe, powerful tannin, deep rose-laced red forest fruit, wonderful balance.

Antoniolo producer page

This, the ‘Gattinara Riserva’ is taken from all the sites, Osso San Grato, Le Castelle and San Francesco. It is the benchmark Gattinara with forward fruit that has the ability to age over decades.  The vines are picked by hand, the grapes sorted before a spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks. The wine is aged for three years in botti (20hl) made from both Slavonian and French oak.

The town of Gattinara is famed for Nebbiolo, which the locals call ‘Spanna’.  Gattinara received a DOC in 1967, which became a DOCG in 1990; it is worth noting that whilst Gattinara may be one of the largest appellations in the Alto Piemonte, it is just 93 hectares of vineyard in total making less 50,000 cases (half which comes from Travaglini’s cellar).  Gattinara Riserva must be 100% Nebbiolo (Gattinara Classico can have 10% of other varieties) and be aged for 35 months before release.  

Archive

2017 is a vintage that gives the Gattinara lovely floral, intense fruit aromas; fine, ripe damson, and approachable tannins.  For a warm vintage, the fruit is very fine - I think this is a classic Gattinara from a vintage that seems to have slipped under the radar: less obvious than 2015 and not so far from the immense 2016.

2016: An absurdly glorious wine, with both power and restraint.  The deep strawberry and blackberry fruit is immaculate, confident, and fine; tobacco, old rose and chocolate orange peek through.  Whilst enjoyable, this wine will develop over 2 decades, it is a genuine epic. 14%

2015: Rich tannic structure, deep liquorice, herb, tobacco and Turkish coffee.  An extraordinary Gattinara. 14%
VINOUS  Review 16/10/2022:  Score:92
The 2015 Gattinara Riserva is an absolutely gorgeous wine. Rich and pliant in the glass, the 2015 offers a striking interplay of rich fruit, bright acids and tannic spine. A whole range of floral and savory overtones arrive later. Although quite accessible today, the 2015 has the energy and verve to drink well for many years to come. More importantly, it is an especially superb wine considering it is the ‘entry-level’ Gattinara in this range. It is so impressive, especially considering its price. I tasted the 2015 from a half bottle, the format currently available in the US.

2014: Intricate, red-berry laced beautiful Nebbiolo. Ripe and rounded tannins with deep strawberry fruit on the fore, lifted by mint and rose. Stunning wine.  13.5%
2014 was a difficult vintage that was responsible for some very good, approachable wines. The yield was down by 50%

2013: Old English rose, black cherry and forest strawberry aromas. Deep, full and fine crunchy Nebbiolo fruit, intricate red berry, orange peel and floral nuance. Tannins are fine and will ensure a long life.  13.5%