Gift wine question?

I had some friends over for wine last night and they gave an Italian wine I am not familiar with.

It is a Travaglini Gattinara Vendemmia 2004.

From the back, I see it is a Piemont wine made with nebbiolo.

Is 2004 a good vintage for this wine?

What is the drinking window for this wine?

Is this wine like a barolo?

Any information on the producer, Travaglini? Such as, do they produce wines that are old world or more international in style?

Thanks,

It gets many very good reviews over on Cellartracker, for what that is worth. In general, it would probably benefit from some more age, but could be enjoyed at a younger age than a decent Barolo.

Is 2004 a good vintage for this wine?

What is the drinking window for this wine?

Is this wine like a barolo?

Any information on the producer, Travaglini? Such as, do they produce wines that are old world or more international in style?

I'm not an expert but here goes me (and some artful Googling):

2004 was certainly an excellent year for Barolo and Barbaresco. While very few aficionados track Gattinara separately from other Piedmont communes, it's a fairly safe bet that what's good for B+B is good for G.

Gattinara can be drunk sooner than an equivalent Barolo. I prefer my wines not too young so I'd give it 5-10 years from harvest before opening. (It's kinda hard to be exact and, with only one bottle, the best advice might be to face in the general direction of Italy and pull the cork. )

The wine is and isn't like barolo. It's the same grape from the same part of the world so it has similar beautiful nebbiolo aromatics. But Gattinara is more mid-weight than heavy-weight; it is usually a little softer and has a hint of almond in the finish.

Travaglini is the biggest producer. For 2004 I believe the wine-making was traditional vinification, then 1 yr in barriques, then 1.5 yr in old botte, then 6 months in bottle. So, old style except for the year in oak.

Hope that helps.

I had a bottle of the `03 last year, quite brilliant! Price has gone up quite a bit here however.

Jeff's summary is pretty on target as far as I'm concerned. My last Travaglini normale (think they have a Reserva as well) was a '98 that drank very well in 2008. That said, someone brought a '79 to an event last year that was a contender for WOTN. I'd cellar them longer if the bottles weren't such a pain.
I do have a 3L of the '03 I'm saving for some big event circa 2015.

[Robin Garr]

I'd cellar them longer if the bottles weren't such a pain.

I thought of that wacky bottle as soon as I saw Tom's post.

Agreed, all the points have been covered. I've always enjoyed Gattinara, and Spanna, as sort of "little brothers" to Barolo and Barbaresco, although back in the day they were actually good QPR wines.

The only other point I'd make is that this is a food wine. It is very enjoyable with food (better than on its own to my taste). Enjoy. I love Gattinara for its aromatics and food friendliness.

[David M. Bueker]

Another vote for it being a very good wine that is worth cellaring a few years. Have it with some good, Northern Italian food.

It is a Travaglini Gattinara Vendemmia 2004.

I opened a 1997 Travaglini Gattinara at mini cool and had several people comment on it including you. The bottle was a very weird shape. Obviously you do not remember but it was in a prime drinking window at that time. Actually someone described it as more of a medium body Barolo and that is a good description. I found it much more approachable (A poor man's Barolo) without a huge hunk of red meat to tame it down.

Thanks to all who replied.

Apparently I have had this wine before and it just got lost in the blur of all the wines from semicool. I am glad I liked it. I am especially happy to hear that it is a good food wine. Those are my favorite ! Drinking window seems to be now and for the next 4-5 years. That's good to know so I can at least try to drink at its peak. I am looking forward to drinking this wine in the next year or two.

I opened a 1997 Travaglini Gattinara at mini cool and had several people comment on it including you. The bottle was a very weird shape. Obviously you do not remember but it was in a prime drinking window at that time. Actually someone described it as more of a medium body Barolo and that is a good description. I found it much more approachable (A poor man's Barolo) without a huge hunk of red meat to tame it down.

Thanks Bob,

I don't remember that specific wine, but given how many wines we drink at a semi cool or MoCool event, I am not surprised. I do remember the CdP Cuvee Lawrence you brought. That was an outstanding wine.

What food would you suggest to go with it? A nice red sauce pasta and meatballs? Or, some prosciutto and cheese on ciabatta bread?

[quote="Tom N."][quote="Bob Noland"]

What food would you suggest to go with it? quote]

I really like a good spicy Lasagna with Nebbiolo but a good hunk or red meat (steak) always works too! I am not sure about your suggestions but there is one way to find out