Tasting La Spinetta Wines With Surprising Results

WINE TALK
1

Had a chance to taste about 8 wines from La Spinetta. The reputation is one of being modern, probably ultra-modern. So I wanted to have an open mind and let the wines speak for themselves. So my first trip through the wines showed no wildly over oaked wines. Something that I could not say in the past. A few of the wines showed traces of oak and others very little/none at all. To me this a huge change for this estate and one for the better. Overall a good group of wines with some being very young and tight. A few of the wines showed nice precision and flavors. The Toscano Vermentino was really a success, tart and crisp with good value, easily beating a Vermentino from California that costs almost twice the price. The Barbaresco Vigneto Bordini was light in color and had nice tea and violet aromas and flavors, suggesting that holding this wine will improve it. Slight oak notes on the wine, but nothing shocking. The Pin was very hard and tannic. In past vintages, sometimes, I have liked this wine with several more years on it. The wines are modern but not to the point of being obscene. I could have wished for more of each variety and of the Piedmont to come through. And of course the prices could be better. And FWIW I really like the labels. Will taste them again tonight to see how they have developed.

2012 Toscano Vermentino
2008 Chianti Riserva
2009 Barbera d Asti Ca Di Pian
2010 Pin Monferrato Rosso
2010 Langhe Nebbiolo
2009 Barbaresco Vigneto Bordini

2

Thanks!

3

interesting for sure…

4

In the 80’s tried their Barbaresco(81 or 83?) it was very good and selling for

$2-$3(close out-customers didn’t like the dog on the label-I was told).

Wanted to buy two cases but the car was filled up with mostly Bord. and

my wife didn’t want to walk.

5

John Vachon,
Funny!
Which held up better, the Barbaresco or the wife?

6

I should have got the wine.

7

Now that is funny.

8

You know, she ain’t beautiful, but she’s a nice type… [tease.gif]

Thank God!!! Sometimes things are straight in this world!!!

Ah! Ok!

Well, isn’t it what we always wish? [drinkers.gif]

Much better

Ok, I’ll take pictures [dance-clap.gif]

You know Gary, from a multiple award, world famous winery, selling wines at two to three times the average prices of the denomination (except for Moscato, which is the wine Giorgio should have sticked to…) I expect something more than what you describe. It’s not making me wish to give them another chance, at no price, but definitely not at their price.
Nevetheless he’s right, he’s got a lot of success, keeps expanding the Winery, new vineyards, new wines. I strongly believe Giorgio Rivetti is one of the worst accidents ever occurred in Langa, but reality is proving me wrong.

9

I can’t stomach the wine…at any price,and,once again Andrea hits the nail…“It’s not making me wish to give them another chance, at no price, but definitely not at their price.
Nevetheless he’s right, he’s got a lot of success, keeps expanding the Winery, new vineyards, new wines. I strongly believe Giorgio Rivetti is one of the worst accidents ever occurred in Langa, but reality is proving me wrong.”

10

I’m trying to figure out the history…
The dog on the label is from the Parents started the winery in 77’, and the Rhino is from 00’ on?
When did they drop the Dog label?

11

The Rhino…


must have squashed the poor dog… [headbang.gif] [headbang.gif]

12

Priceless… Welcome aBoard, Andrea!

13

[rofl.gif] [cheers.gif]

14

I’m pretty new to the region/grape, but was fortunate to get a couple tastes with Gary on Fri.
I think I’m much less positive on these than Gary. My opinion really shouldn’t mean much as I really don’t have a foundation for typicity for the region, but to me to Barbaresco and Langhe Nebbiolo lacked transparency or sense of place. I found them forward and obscured by wood. I actually prefered the Langhe botting (I did remember that correctly I hope) which I would enjoy as a mid week wine. Time my improve these, but I would agree that these seem rather expensive.
The Vietti Nebbiolo was much more interesting to me, but I can see how some (many) would be put off by the structure/tannins.

15

I think youre confusing La Spinona

with La Spinetta

Two completly different producers and styles.

16

Interesting comments. Went to a 07 tasting and really liked the Valeirano. Price seems to have come down but still expensive.