Pizza TNs: A trio of Produttori Normale

A post-pizza glimpse at three recent releases of the Produttori Normale:

The 2006 is translucent ruby in the glass, with a menthol-laden nose. Otherwise fairly reticent right now, with hints of cherry fruit.

Really full-bodied for a Normale, with sweet red fruits and a dollop of tannin on the finish. I think this showed better on release, although it’s still quite nice. Be back with bottle number 2 in a sec.

Next up, the 2005 Produttori Normale.

Looks to be a shade darker in the glass, but still translucent. Interesting nose - I would be challenged to identify it as nebbiolo blind. Clearly red-fruited, with the menthol much less pronounced than on the 2006 - nice, but not stellar.

Nicely accessible on the palate - still some tannin on the finish, but less noticeable than the previous wine (although also with a finishing dryness that stays with you a bit). Sweet cherry fruit, bracing acidity - nice enough, but off this showing I wouldn’t consider this to be a “Grade A” example of the Normale.

In closing, the 2003 Normale.

Best nose of the trio, with a palpable spiciness intermingled with the red fruits.

Really nice, albeit still young (as were all the wines). Given the ripeness of the vintage, the tannins are the most harmonious here, and surprisingly enough, the acidity is still adequate. I avoided this vintage like the plague because of the heat, but I have to admit some regret because this is not a bad-drinking wine right now, and despite the vintage, I could easily see this going on for another decade or so. My favorite of the three tonight, although I still like the potential of the 2006 for the long haul.

Try the 04–doesn’t have the seriousness of the 06, but delicious on release and, while still young, still delicious.

I do have it in the cellar, John, but it wasn’t convenient to find last night [cheers.gif] .

I love the 2003 and wish I had bought a case, just 1 bottle left.

If I remember correctly, in 2006 they made only one cuvée. In other words, all the single vineyard juice went into the basic wine. Sometimes, more challenging vintages have their up side. I’ve enjoyed the 06 too.