WTN: '03 Ferrando Carema (white label)

[David M. Bueker]

Part of the Neal Rosenthal wine tasting/book signing evet at Table & Vine on Monday 6/30/08

Ruby red with a touch of rust on the edge. The nose is really interesting with leather, earth, roses, red fruit and very subtle spice. It does smell a bit advanced though. The flavors are all dusty berries and old leather. It's an amazingly interesting and delicious wine, but I can't help but feel it's old before it's time. There's not a lot of tannic structure, despite the fact that it's 100% Nebbiolo. Perhaps the vintage has crept in and made this wine old (but very tasty) before its time.

Is this a vino di tavola from Piedmont?

[David M. Bueker]

Nope - Carema has (I think) 2 producers, a co-op and Ferrando. It's a very small sub-region in Piemonte according to Neal Rosenthal's book (and the OCW).

I think it's the northernmost part of Piedmont. All Nebbiolo, usually lighter-bodied than Barolo/Barbaresco. In warmer vintages Ferrando makes a "black label", which can be very very good. Though even then it's a lighter style. Thanks David for the note.