Matteo Correggia Roero

This is my find of the year so far. It proper stopped me in my tracks. We stocked Matteo Correggio's wines for many years, but lost touch after they changed agents in the UK. Quite a tragic back-story- Matteo was sadly killed in a tractor accident in the vineyard, but his spirit certainly lives on in this, with the winery now run with similar dedication by his widow and daughter.

We're in the beautiful rolling hills of Roero, to the north of Barolo, west of Barbaresco. Nebbiolo rules as it does in these more vaunted neighbouring zones. Part of the joy of this is that there is no oak in sight. Barolo has to spend a minimum 38 months in barrel before bottling, which is overly prescriptive in my mind (and mouth). Whilst complexity and yet more structure is added, much of Nebbiolo's vitality is lost. To prove my point, this captures the vibrant, perky, cherry fruit of Nebbiolo whilst also providing a delicate lick of liquorice on the finish. It's as if every taste-bud in your mouth is brought to life, and the cumulative effect is so jaw-droopingly delicious, that by your 5th sip, I guarantee you'll be beaming from ear to ear.