Gattinara, Azienda Vitivinicola Nervi 2016

Nervi's 2016 Gattinara from Nervi is superb. Sweet red cherry, mint, juniper berry and wild flowers are some of the many notes that soar out of the glass. The 2016 is distinguished by its brilliant aromatic presence and tremendous purity of fruit. Even just bottled, the 2016 exudes precision and nuance to burn. Of course, the 2016 needs time, but readers who want to get a sense of what the future holds at Nervi will get plenty of answers here. This is such a captivating wine. 2024-2041

Two years ago (before COVID-19), I tasted this wine in a preview capacity at the Giacomo Conterno winery in Monforte d'Alba. The 2016 Gattinara is linear and sharp, offering a very silky and smooth approach at this still-young moment in its lifespan. The quality of fruit is brilliant and primary, but the wine has softened and fleshed out nicely, showing hints of its ongoing evolution to the palate with softly integrated tannins. This is an accessible Gattinara that drinks beautifully now, but it also holds the promise of more bottle age should you decide to wait. 2022 - 2035