WINE > Roberto Voerzio - Disanfrancesco Nebbiolo 2020 (93/100)

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In recent years Roberto Voerzio has become somewhat legendary for his Barolo wines some of which are attracting huge prices (€900-€1200 per bottle at release and much more at auction), the wines are known for the depth of flavour and showing less of the tannin and oak that other well known Barolo wines might have.

THE WINERY

The winery was founded in 1986 in La Morra, a village in the heart of the Langhe, Italy when Roberto inherited five hectares (12.5 acres) of his father’s vineyards. The area is renowned for outstanding Nebbiolo and the many DOC vineyards in the region some of which date back to 1350. But the vineyard of Roberto Voerzio was established when he struck out in a different direction from his family who had been making more traditional wines, in fact his brother Gianni is still making wine a little further down the road.

Today, the estate owns or manages 8.5 hectares (21 acres) of vineyards around the town of La Morra, vines are planted very densely and pruned to derive tiny yields of small intensely flavoured grapes.

WINE MAKING

Maceration can take up to 15 days and alcoholic fermentation lasts between 10 and 30 days with natural wild yeast and no introduction of yeast into the fermentation process. The malolactic fermentation is in steel tanks and then in oak for 18 months using both barriques and larger casks (of which 30% is new oak each vintage).

There is no filtration in the wine and the maximum expression of Roberto’s wines, according to him only after at least 5 or 6 years of aging in bottle, and then slowly evolve between 20 and 30 years if stored in optimal conditions.

THE TASTING

We tasted this wine while dining at La Capinera in Taormina, Sicily and big shout out to the Sommelier who suggested this wine to be a perfect choice.

From the first moment this wine is poured, there is no question of the pedigree. The nose of the wine starts with a burnt orange caramel and ends with a herbaceous mint. It is typically light in the glass and has a lovely viscosity. As you take a sip there is quite a lot of spice up front and more classic Nebbiolo flavours of cherry, tobacco, chocolate, leather and a little fresh mint. The finish is long and complex as the flavours seem to change a lot as the move from the front to the back palate. A beautifully balanced wine 93/100 points.

SIGHT

Delicate in the glass, bright and shinny with good viscosity

NOSE

Powerful nose that starts with a burnt orange caramel and ends with more herbaceous notes and fresh mint

PALATE

The nebbiolo is true with immediate cherry and spice on the front palate and then chocolate and tobacco

FINISH

The finish is long, complex and balanced. The spice upfront giving way to more recognisable nebbiolo characteristics of cherry, tobacco and chocolate.

Grape | Nebbiolo 100%
Oak | 18 months (30% new)
Seal | Cork
Production | 10,000

pH | –
Acidity | –
Alcohol | 14.5 % ABV
Residual Sugar | –

Yield | 1.5 kg per vine
Drink By | 2030
Tasting Date | July 2023
Price | €34

WINE > Roberto Voerzio – Disanfrancesco Nebbiolo 2020 (93/100 points)