We've just returned from the Langhe tasting the new vintages. And
here's what we think...

We landed at Turin airport on the Saturday morning at 10:15 and were sitting on the terrace at Brezza enjoying our first Barolo over lunch by 12:30 - a great start to a memorable week!

The week was really fantastic, with unseasonably warm weather touching 35 degrees, springing the Langhe and its vines into early bud - a beautiful sight to behold and one that will hopefully herald a great start for the 2011 vintage.

After 14 separate Cantina visits and over 100 different wines tasted, we are very excited about the new Langhe vintages:

Arneis:

The 2010 Arneis is one of the richest and most complex I have ever tasted, whilst retaining its drinkability - this was universally true across all the wines I tried.

Barbera:

Many producers are only just releasing their 2008 Barbera, which whilst for my palate does not have the immediate approachability of the 2007's. It has more structure and overall balance that will see them age much longer, however I also tried several 2009's which are simply wonderful, combining the best of the previous two vintages, giving great structure whilst having incredibly forward black fruit.

Barolo:

For the Barolo, 2007, has been hailed as one of the greatest vintages of recent times by many international journalists, an opinion I do not share, it is not as great a year for Barolo as 2006, however it is one of the most approachable expressions of this wine I have ever tasted, with unusually high levels of sweet black rather than red fruit on both the nose and palate. There is also an immediate elegance that will take a few more years to shine through with the 2006's, but the vintage will not age as long as the 2006 - so a great vintage to drink earlier whilst waiting for the 06's to age to perfection!

Watch out for our new vintages wines - arriving shortly - we've some spectacular treats in store!

Best wishes,

Andrew