AZELIA 
2016 LANGHE NEBBIOLO
PIEDMONT, ITALY
In the same way that Rosso di Montalcino is considered baby Brunello, Langhe Nebbiolo is a more ready to drink, affordable cousin to Barolo and Barbaresco. These Italian icons are both made with 100% Nebbiolo grapes and while Langhe can include declassified Barolo and Barbaresco but can also be from other regions within Piedmont, and doesn’t need to meet the same aging requirements. Stylistically Langhe wines are flashy with more forward, vibrant fruit, and they’re styled to be much more approachable in their youth. One of my favorites is by Azelia and at $25/btl it’s simply one of the best values in the shop.
When referencing a history of terrific wines from Azelia, Robert Parker alerts readers that “wines from… Azelia, can hold their own with the very best in the region” and “prices are exceedingly fair considering the quality of what goes into the bottle.” The 2016 enters your palate with marvelous intensity, and is chock full of vibrant red fruits, toasted spice, dried rose petals and finely grained tannins. 2016 was an idyllic vintage in Piedmont producing larger than average yields of perfectly ripened grapes.
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2016 Langhe Nebbiolo gives us a very encouraging glimpse into the future. Nebbiolo from this cool vintage is phenomenal, and we should have some beautiful surprises very soon when the 2016 Barbarescos and Barolos are released. For now, we can enjoy a wine like this. Aged in stainless steel, this expression opens to a beautiful ruby hue with dark garnet highlights. The effect is crisp, luminous and bright. The varietal purity is especially evident on the bouquet, thanks to cassis, wild rose, blueberry and fresh almond aromas. The vines are 20 years old on average.” 91 Points
Customers that enjoy Azelia’s Langhe Nebbiolo may also enjoy these two stunning wines…
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CLOS Du CAILLOU
2016 COTES Du RHONE
CUVEE UNIQUE VV
Your Price: $29.99/btl
Robert Parker’s Review on the Regular Cotes to Rhone (The VV is Even Better)… “The estate’s entry-level wine, the 2016 Cotes du Rhone Le Caillou is a stunning value, offering gluggable cherry and blueberry fruit, ample weight and a velvety texture. This Grenache-dominated blend should drink well for the next 5 years.” 90 Points
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LIVIO SASSETTI
2015 ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
MONTALCINO, ITALY
Your Price: $29.99/btl
Absolutely hands-on in every way possible, each individual wine produced by LivioSassetti is hand-tended by Livio and his two sons. With attention to every detail, their 2015 Rosso is stacked with concentrated red cherries, black plum and intermixed are detailed notes of dried rose petals, violets and spice rack.
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