We tasted last night at Pig+Fig three Calif Nebbiolos:
1. Aeris Nebbiolo CentennialMtnVnyd/Calif (14.0%; Aged in large oak casks for 2 yrs) 2019: Med.light color; bit earthy/dusty/loamy lightly floral/lilacs very Valtelline-like some pencilly/toasty/oak rather complex nose; very tart/tangy/acidic rather hard/tannic somewhat lean/tight lightly floral/Nebb/violets bit pencilly/oak rather hard/austere w/ light hard/astringent tannins; long hard/austere finish that mimics flavor; not a lot of aromatics and pretty rugged on the palate & a bit painful to drink; badly needs some 5-10 yrs of age but suspect it will mature well. $79.00
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2. Castelli "Fosco" Nebbiolo GreenVlly of RRV (14.1%) CastelliWnry/Sebastapol 2018: Med.dark color; fairly strong floral/lilacs/Nebb/grapey almost Pinotish light toasty/oak bit spicy somewhat simpler nose; fairly tart/tangy some grapey/Pinotish some floral/lilacs/Nebb fairly rich/lush flavor w/ light bitey tannins; very long finish that mirrors flavor; much more toasty/oak that gives it somewhat of a resemblance to Pinot rather than Nebb; can use 3-6 yrs of age; not quite at the level of the Estate; very fairly priced at $26.00
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3. Castelli Estate Nebbiolo GreenVlly of RRV/SonomaCnty (13.6%; DryFarmed) 2018: Med.dark color; lighter but quite floral/violets/lilacs/Nebb/spicy light pencilly/oak bit earthy/dusty more delicate quite perfumed nose; quite tart/tangy more lean/hard strong floral/Nebb/violets/lilacs light pencilly/oak slight earthy/dusty rather perfumed flavor w/ some hard tannins; very long/lingering quite perfumed finish that mirrors flavor; more structure & tannins & less oak than the Fosco; shows more of the delicate/elegant side of Nebb but clearly needs more age; should be quite good down the road w/ age; very fairly priced at $34.00
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More iggerfitz from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. The last two Nebbs are from Emilio Castelli. He consistently makes one of the best Nebbs in Calif. These two are his most recent release. Not nearly as rugged/tannic as the Aeris but not by any stretch are these shrinking violets.
Tom