Principiano
Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
Ferdinando Principiano is an exciting young winegrower to farm Piedmont’s Langhe hills. Initially seduced by the 1990s fashion for making high-octane Parker wines designed for 100-point scores in American magazines, Ferdinando changed direction in 2003 after finding that the terroir of his land became harder and harder to express with chemical agriculture and modern winemaking. As a child he would roam the hills and vineyards of Piedmont experiencing the flavours, fragrances, plants, and features of his land that shaped his idea of its’ Identity. At a certain point he noticed his wines didn’t express this specific identity, so he began to intervene less in the vineyard and in the cellar and found positive results every step of the way. In 2003 Ferdinando started working organically. And those wines from the 90s? he finds that they have become undrinkable with time, falling over with age.
So things have changed now. Chemicals are eschewed and the wines are made in the slow, old-school way; the way Piedmont wines have been made for Generations. Principiano practices natural yeast fermentation with minimal to no sulfur use. Elevage is in large old oak botte. Every action is taken to ensure nature is respected and expressed.
He graduated from Alba's Scuola Viticole Umberto-1 in 1993, joining his father Americo at the Monforte d'Alba domaine following an apprenticeship at both Giacomo Conterno & Roberto Voerzio; the best of both worlds you could say; old school and hyper modern.
Boscareto, Le Coste, Pian Romualdo & Santa Anna are the key vineyards that make up the 10 hectare vines though they have a small plot of Monforte's prized Ravera Barolo vineyard as well: A vineyard so steep that tractor work is impossible with 80+ year old vines. Many of his vineyards are surrounded by forests, something quite rare for the region which helps bring biodiversity to the vines. Some of the vineyards reach as high as 750m above sea level, another rarity for Piedmont. These are truly special wines.
Dosset
Dosset is Piemontese for Dolcetto. Principiano chose the name because the wine is intended to recall the past and to remember that Piedmont can also produce wines for every day drinking. At 10.5% alcohol its incredible easy drinking, bright and juicy and filled with energy. Smashable. Vinified in stainless steel without added sulfur.
Laura Barbera
From the single vineyard called “Laura”. Mineral, tight and fresh. This is a lighter expression of Barbera. Destemmed and macerated for 3 weeks with very little touching during fermentation. Floral and elegant. Very low in sulfur.
Langhe Nebbiolo “Coste”
The fruit comes from a few vineyards: The first is Le Coste di Monforte which is inside the Barolo area. Vines are 50 years old. Ferdinando produced Barolo Le Coste until 1999 then when younger vines of Boscareto started to come of age he chose to use this Barolo vineyard to make an earlier released Nebbiolo. Montagliato is a vineyard in Monforte where some fruit comes from as well. It is outside the Barolo area with average 25 year old vines at 400m. Some of the lower part of the Barolo Boscaretto vineyard is also sometimes used from 40 year old vines. The wine is elegant and powerful at the same time with pure Nebbiolo fruit. Its bright and expressive and an incredible wine for the price. Very low in Sulfur.
Barolo DOCG del Comune di Serralunga
From vines within Boscaretto in Serralunga planted on a mix of limestone and complex soils. 2 years of elevage in large old oak botte. Herbal, savoury notes of tar delicately combining with roses and bright fruit. A beautiful wine. Very low in sulfur.
Barolo DOCG Ravera di Monforte
A vineyard so steep that tractor work is impossible. 80+ year old vines. This vineyard is surrounded by forests, something quite rare for the region which helps bring biodiversity to the vines. High altitude and worked totally by hand. Complex, long, deep with amazing drinkability. This wine is the real deal and will age for decades to come. Very low in sulfur.
Retail
Boutique del Vino at Piazza de Nardi
Ellement Wine & Spirits
Jones & Co. Wine Merchants
Winehouse
