Description
An historic Verduno estate that dates back as far as the 8th century. A true family affair Vittore Alessandria, his mother Flavia, father Gian Battista & uncle Ale have been working hard in recent years to give more precision to their charming wines: more leaves, fewer treatments in the vineyards, along with the investment into a battery of Swiss coopered Slavonian oak botti have all helped to give increased focus to the wines. Made in a traditional and non-interventionist way, the wines are fermented gently and slowly before elevage in large oak cask for three years. These are some of the aromatic, elegant and charming Barolos you’ll find.
“Alessandria remains one of my favorite under the radar estates in Piedmont.’ Antonio Galloni
This is 100% Pelaverga Piccolo a rare and indigneous grape varietal from Piedmont. Vittore Alessandria calls it a “falso leggero” because the grape actually delivers more power and intensity than its transparent ruby appearance might otherwise suggest.
From Elaine Chukan Brown for JancisRobinson.com about this wine “Pelaverga Piccolo is a rare but beguiling Italian red wine grape that promises a glassful of perfume and charm. It’s the aromas that get me ..Rhubarb, rose hips, wet earth and crushed leaves ..And then on the palate, it’s mouth-watering, zesty and medium-bodied with the texture of sheared velvet..
“Now led by the fifth generation, Fratelli Alessandria is one of the producers that have helped the variety not only survive but gain in quality, as well as prominence (even if still quite modestly). The winery is better known for its Barolo, with 12 hectares (30 acres) across the communes of Monforte and Verduno. But they grow Pelaverga on the higher slopes of Verduno only .. near the north-western edge of the Barolo zone. It would be much more profitable to produce Barolo here but, as the name Speziale suggests, the grape is special to the family.
“The wine is made from a blend of a few small parcels grown at elevations between 250 and 400 m (820–1,310 ft) in silty-limestone soils. Cooler vintages showcase the grape’s exuberant acidity, but in warmer years it can ripen quickly, making familiarity with the vineyards especially important. In the cellar, the fruit is destemmed and fermented entirely in stainless steel, then aged in a mix of stainless-steel and concrete tanks for five to six months. It is then kept in bottle for several months before release.
“The Alessandria family began making the wine in 1973 but renamed it Speziale in 2011 to celebrate its rarity and their affection for the grape. According to local lore, the variety is an aphrodisiac. Admittedly, the wine is seductive with its evocative aromas, distinctive palate and friendly complexity. But even more, while the wine starts out fruit-centred and high-toned in its youth, it becomes more brambly, herbal and savoury as it ages. Three years in bottle is generally seen as ideal, but I have enjoyed it with six to seven years’ bottle age as well.
Think of it as a medium-weight red with more versatility than cru Beaujolais, more consistency than Poulsard or Pineau d’Aunis, and more intrigue than Pinot Noir.”
This is one of the top 10 Verduno Pelaverga wines. “The 2023 Vintage Is An Excellent One for Verduno Pelaverga” –
94 Points, Ian D’Agata – “Luminous red. Very floral, penetrating aromas and flavours of violet, rose, red cherry, redcurrant and raspberry, complemented by hints of cinnamon and white pepper ..”
17/20 Points, JancisRobinson.com – “From the same slope as Massara’s version, Alessandria’s oldest vines are Pelaverga. Fermented in concrete. Light cherry red. More pure fruit than the Massara bottling, wild strawberry freshness. Finely dry tannins, fresh and fragrant. Long, juicy and drily tannic at the same time. Tight, crisp, so deliciously dry.” Drink: Now-2030″ Julia Harding MW, July 2024
RRP $71 Our Special Price $61.99 – Very Limited
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