I think it’s more vintage dependent on which vineyard comes off more rustic. In general I think Montefico is a little more finessed and subtle. Montestef a little darker fruited and more burly. Both of Nova’s parcels are nicely positioned towards the upper parts of the crus. If I have it right, Montefico faces a little more east as opposed to more or less directly south so it doesn’t bake like Montestef.
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I’m on the same page as you. I bought a bunch of 2016s and they have been rough young, and ultimately seem like they will be good but not great nebbiolo. I stopped buying this producer… too many other great producers to buy instead.
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And those being which producers ? It’s easy to throw these comments but what are the alternatives then?
Regarding La Ca Nova, as an example I don’t find the difference between Produttori Crus and La Ca Nova vineyard ones no where near the level that I’d be willing to pay 3* the price/bottle and personally I find Produttori starting to become too expensive for what they are. So I’m a happy La Ca Nova buyer.
Some alternative producers to me are Adriano Marco & Vittorio, Lodali and Cascina Morassino. Even bit different in styles they present quality Nebbiolo in same below 30€/bottle range where the La Ca Nova is. Won’t claim them being the pinnacle but neither is the pricing
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2022 LaLu Nebbiolo Langhe. Showing very young, with fresh, primary fruit, but also a solid core of tannin and acid to back it up. Loads of bright cherry once this opened up. My first time with this producer, and I found this very promising in a reportedly difficult vintage.
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I blindly bit on that one but I’m just beginning to build my Nebbiolo collection so I’m eager to test the waters. Besides NLFW has yet to let me down.
On another note I had this domestic (US) Nebbiolo last weekend and it was 
. Every time I drink one I keep asking myself why I don’t have several more on hand.
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I can’t help you on buying in Europe because the pricing is different. None of these are $30 here, including La Ca Nova. $40 is typical, and more for the single vineyards.
Here I buy Silvio Giamello Barbaresco and Rovellotti Ghemme Chioso dei Pomi for the same price and they are far better.
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I agree that once Produttori prices escalated rapidly that they didn’t make sense vs something like Ca Nova.
I sold Morassino for an importer a long time ago. I guess those vintages were pre 2004. Visited a couple times. Good grower. He was always tinkering and trying to refine. I just looked and it does appear some of the crus in the US are now being sold for close to $80 with the basic Barbaresco around $65 so apparently no longer priced at the low end here. He’s pretty much neighbors with Cantina del Pino which is also pretty decent.
There are still others flying a little below the radar and priced under $50 but the whole region is getting up there in price in the US.
I cracked open a recently arrived Produttori Barbaresco 2020 last night. It was extremely approachable from the first sip. Bit fruit forward but still had everything you love in Barbaresco.
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100%. One of my best BDXI purchases and easily performs at the level of the best entry level Piedmont wines. I have a case+ of the La Ca Nova wines (which I’ve been disappointed by as others above) and zero of the Castelli… wish it were the reverse.
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Appreciate hearing your take on Castelli, Brian. I’ve been on the fence about taking a flyer on these the last several BerserkerDays. If they do an offer this year, I’ll know to pull the trigger.
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Damn, the ‘21 La Ca Nova Montestefano and Montefico were just dropped off. Fingers crossed.
Giamello seems to be north of 40€ here. Rovellotti is available for bit below 30€ so need to check that one for reference. Thanks
Agree about La Ca Nova being a little rustic and I am another who is puzzled by their high scores. For red-fruited Nebbiolo that is approachable young and good value, I have enjoyed Giulia Negri and Ferdinando Principiano (think @IlkkaL has also posted about the latter).
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You guys are killing me here. 
Rovellotti is quite good. Lots of great nebbiolo coming out of the Alto Piemonte now.
Principiano is also great, especially the Ravera (though not quite a bargain anymore in the US).
I hear great things about Negri, but she has gone up quite a bit in the US as well.
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In my initial post that started this whole La Ca’Növa conversation, I mentioned QPR and that there are things I rather buy/like better.
I should have been more clear.
Most of what I buy and prefer is more expensive than La Ca’Növa (here in Europe). But I simply don’t drink enough wine to fill my cellar with QPR’s that do not impress me enough.
If I should mention wine in the same price range or slightly above, which I rather buy and like more, then I could mention stuff like Trediberri and Fratelli Alessandria’s entry level Barolos. I also really enjoy Sandrone’s Nebbiolo Valmaggiore. I would also rather spend my money on Langhe from Olek Bondonio, Cascina Fontana and Castrum Roche.
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Needed something “cheap” to use in a mushroom risotto and still be drinkable.
Yes, it’s fairly simple. Yes, it’s delicious. I need more of these.
And don’t start cawing about using red wine in a risotto. I mean, have you tried it? No going back.
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Had the 23 Trediberri Langhe Nebbiolo last night. The color and nose were very exciting but the palate was a bit hollow for me. Good to try but not a repeat purchase for me—much better langhe nebbiolo for similar money.
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Yeah, I always find the Trediberri LN to be too simple. Many better options out there. I think the Vajra Ted posted is better for less money.
Of course. No problem. It all depends what color wine will be served with the dish. At least for me. I can’t claim any Italian authenticity…
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