The 2021 La Ca' Növa Barbaresco is a great example of why this producer has become a favorite among Nebbiolo lovers. Located in the heart of Barbaresco, La Ca' Növa focuses on tradition and terroir. By producing wines that offer outstanding quality and reliability which often stands out from the competition. This wine is a blend of some of the most revered places in the Barbaresco region, and the 2021 vintage is an expression of its remarkable balance and purity. The nose greets you with lively aromas of red cherry, wild berry and rose, medium and delicate on the palate, coated with a touch of licorice. Earthy tone and a touch of tar. Smooth tannins and bright acidity, it brings freshness and vitality. The fruit is honest and elegant. The core of the mineral helps create beautiful, long-lasting results. La Ca' Nova adheres to traditional winemaking methods, such as fermentation in stainless steel and aging in large Slavonian oak barrels. To reveal the character of the Nebbiolo grape, the result is a wine that maintains Barbaresco's reputation for elegance and refinement, while providing structure and depth. It pairs well with classic Piedmontese dishes such as barbaresco tajarin al ragu (egg pasta with meat sauce), braised beef or mushroom risotto. Its accessible nature also makes it a good starting point for those exploring Nebbiolo for the first time. For those looking for authentic, land-driven Barbaresco without breaking the bank, the 2021 La Ca' Növa is an outstanding choice. This wine reflects the heart and soul of Barbaresco, made with precision and passion.

THIS BARBARESCO IS CURRENTLY ON K&L'S OPEN CELLAR TASTING MENU! What a yummy Barbaresco! In my experience, young Barbaresco's are typically unpalatable until they've aged for a long while or you decant them for 1/2 a day. There are exceptions when you reach the highest levels, think Gaja, but as a general rule I prepare for the pucker. However, the 2021s seem to be very approachable right now and the La Ca Nova Barbaresco is a perfect example. Beautiful floral bouquet of dusted dark red cherries, rose petals, black licorice, and tar; a rich mid-palate with a tiny grip on the finish revealing a body and structure that will age with grace and complexity. This is a delicate and refined Barbaresco that should satisfy even the most finicky Nebbiolo enthusiast.

The wines of Ca' Nova are well known for two things these days - being among the most accomplished in the region, and doing so at a fraction of the price of their peers. Add a banner vintage, and it levels everything up another degree. Aromatics go from floral to red raspberry, while the palate is full of textured red-to-black cherry and a chalky minerality. Fine mouthcoating fruit-skin tannins, lively acids, and a long, fruit-filled finish lingers. There's a sense of richness, but the wine never comes off heavy. While getting lost in this wine, trying to find one nuance after another, I had to remind myself that this is just their baseline Barbaresco - it carries itself like a much more serious wine. I hope to be able to revisit this one time and time again.