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Vallana Vallana

Fifteen years ago, Robert Parker called Vallana's wines "intense, traditionally made wines that ooze with character." Winewriter Burton Anderson said: "Vallana creates Spannas with extraordinary life spans, their breeding, substance and longevity showing no compromise whatever with conceptions of mass consumerism."  As Vallana's back label proudly proclaims, both of the wines we offer "are capable of aging for 30 years or more." You don't have to age them that long, though. These are both showing absolutely brilliantly even now. (Our clients were astonished at how good they were, despite very high expectations.)

Their Spanna (pure nebbiolo, from two great, steep vineyards in the town of Boca) and the super-ripeness of this melds perfectly with this more northerly expression of nebbiolo.

The wines available from this producer are:

R Gattinara DOCG - Nebbiolo                   
R Colline Novaresei Spanna DOC

More info on these wines:

Gattinara DOCG

Grape Varieties: 100% Nebbiolo, Region: Produced from the hillsides surrounding the town of Gattinara in the north west region of Piemonte.
Vinification: The grapes are hand picked and vinified in the traditional red wine method. The DOC stipulates that this wine is only bottled after four years ageing in oak casks.
Characteristics: Deep red in colour with a dry harmonious bouquet. The palate is typical of the Nebbiolo grape with distinct yet delicate tannins and a full bodied flavour of leather and earthy forest berries.
Serve: at room temperature and decant if possible.
Try With: Rustic stews, game meats and tasty cheese.


Colline Novaresei Spanna OCG

Grape Variety: 100% Nebbiolo, Region: Far north west of Piemonte
Characteristics: Aged up to 18 months in oak and a further year in the bottle before release. Brick red in colour with brownish hues.  An austere bouquet with a very dry palate. It is rich and velvety with lively fruit and fine wood maturation.
Try with: Ripe mature cheese and good strong game roasts.