COLOMBERA & GARELLA BRAMATERRA DOC ITALY 2016

Colombera & Garella is the collaboration of Cristiano Garella, the leader of the Alto Piemontese renaissance, with his long-time friend Giacomo Colombera and Giacomo’s father, Carlo, in Bramaterra. The tradition in Bramaterra is Nebbiolo-prominent blends, in this case 80% nebbiolo, 10% vespolina, and 10% croatina. This wine comes from the organically-farmed home vineyard (Cascina Cottignano), which has iron-rich, reddish-brown, sandy volcanic soils. After 2-3 weeks of indigenous fermentation in concrete, the wine ages for two years in 6200-liter Slavonian oak botti. Like all of Colombera & Garella’s wines, this one is elegant, fresh, and unmanipulated, with supple tannins and perfect balance – and only 13% alcohol. Drink it with braised or grilled meat or mushroom stew. The wine is drinking really well now, but it will age gracefully for another 5-10 years.