Saturday, February 10, 2018

Recent Bel Colle Barolos impress at NYC tasting

Piedmont’s Bel Colle winery was founded in the late 70’s and has grown to be recognized for producing award-winning wines.  The winery was purchased by Luca Bosio, from another Piedmont winemaking family, in  2015.  A trained winemaker, Luca was particularly excited to work with the rare native grape, Pelaverga, as well as the Barolo and Barbaresco vineyards. The wines of Bel Colle and Luca Bosio were poured at a recent media dinner at Sparks Steak House, where they were paired beautifully with the restaurant's signature prime sirloin steaks. 

Some of the highlights of the wines poured included:

Luca Bosio Langhe Arneis 2016 – A floral nose leads to rich flavors of peaches and lemons with great mouth feel. Arneis is a native white grape in the Piedmont region and a wonderful alternative white wine for only $19.99.

Bel Colle Verduno Pelaverga 2015 – This rare grape is only grown in Piedmont and is enjoyed there chilled as a light-bodied red with a peppery kick. ($29.99)

Bel Colle Barbaresco Roncaglie 2011 – Fairly light-bodied with fantastic acid/tannin/fruit balance. This wine showcases the Nebbiolo fruit with a long fermentation of 24-28 days. Roncaglie is a top Barbaresco area. ($54.99)

Bel Colle DOCG “Simposio” – We tasted through three vintages of this traditional Barolo.  2013, noted as a great vintage, was tight but showed its potential in a fragrant nose of leather, dried cherries and roses.  That fruit and spice continued on the palate. The 2012 was drinking well, with a pretty nose of dried roses and potpourri with cherries and a bit of sage. The 2011 was drinking beautifully, very lush midpalate with layered flavors of dusty flowers, cherries, raspberries and bit of tobacco. ($59.99)

Bel Colle Barolo Monvigliero 2011 – A showstopper single vineyard wine from one of the best vineyards in Verduno (200-300 feet above sea level).  With average vine age of 50 years old, this one showed sweet cherry fruit, spice, and very long finish. ($74.99)

Bel Colle Barolo Monvigliero 2009 – The same wine with more development. The dense cherry fruit had softened a bit and now tertiary aromas and flavors of mushroom, smoke, spice were coming forth.  The acid was still present and the tannins still firm – a great-drinking Barolo nearly ten years old now.  ($74.99)

The wines of Bel Colle are made with thoughtful aging in a mix of new and old French barriques as well as large format Slovenian casks.  Each vineyard and vintage is treated differently to bring out the best in the harvest.  While all the wines were delicious, I recommend purchasing the 2011 Barolo for immediate consumption and putting the 2013 away.