Roero Valmaggiore Riserva DOCG 2020

The Azienda Agricola Valfaccenda was founded in 2010 by Luca Faccenda and his partner Carolina Roggera in Canale. On the steep and sandy hills of the Roero, Luca and Carolina grow only the autochthonous grape varieties Nebbiolo and Arneis - in the firm knowledge that only grape varieties with indigenous roots are able to authentically reflect their origin on the bottle. The two hectares owned by the estate are situated around the winery near Canale. Other areas on the hills Le Rocche, the landmark of Roero, as well as in Vezza, Madonnna di Loreto in Canale and San Grato in Santo Stefano are cultivated on lease. The soils of the Roero are made up of sand, which in ancient times formed the seabed of the Gulf of Padania and sometimes appears mixed with clay sediments. In 2014, Luca Faccenda registered the farm for organic certification to allow his vines the best conditions for the authentic expression of Roero.

The Valmaggiore is a cuvée from the three vineyards Mompellini, Loreto and San Grato in the municipalities of Canale and Santo Stefano. The young and old vines grow on sandy soils with varying degrees of clay, facing south-west, west and east. The grapes are harvested at optimum ripeness depending on vintage, vine and location and fermented separately. After the obligatory ageing in barrels, the wine is bottled at the waning of the autumn moon in the year following the harvest. After maturing in the bottle for almost a year, the wine is released for sale.

Dark and transparent ruby red colour.

Deep and darkly fruity, the 2020 Roero Riserva Valmaggiore from Valfaccenda immediately makes it clear with which claim it enters the ring Nebbiolo from the top shelf. The multi-layered nose is in constant motion like a kaleidoscope, with dark cherries opening the round dance, followed by sour cherries, some sloe, damp subsoil, truffles and then morning mist. The interplay of flavours in this wine is sparkling, three-dimensional and offers the full Nebbiolo package.

Polished and radiant, profound and fine, concentrated and light-footed, this Nebbiolo resolves these supposed contrasts seemingly effortlessly on the palate. Its tannins are polished to such an extent that they retain their pithy bite while still allowing the fruit its place. This is a wine that should not be stored for ages, but is a pleasure to drink now, without losing or trivialising the seriousness of the variety. Great for beginners and equally enjoyable for the more advanced.