2021 Raineri Langhe Nebbiolo Snart Piedmont

In 2005, three Langhe natives — Gianmatteo "Jimmy" Raineri, Fabrizio Giraudo, and Luciano Racca — started Raineri with a small production of Dolcetto from Dogliani. Within a year they'd expanded to a full line including Barbera, Nebbiolo, and Barolo, all sourced from vineyards in Monforte d'Alba, one of the Barolo zone's most celebrated communes. Their cellar in Panerole di Novello houses three distinct areas: vinification in stainless steel, aging in French oak botti grandi and barrels, and temperature-controlled bottle storage.

This Langhe Nebbiolo expresses the purity of Nebbiolo fruit from those Monforte d'Alba vineyards — the same terroir that produces some of Piedmont's most age-worthy Barolo, but vinified for earlier drinking. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel at controlled temperature, followed by approximately eight months of aging in tank to preserve the grape's fresh red-fruit character and elegant structure.

In the glass, expect the hallmarks of young Nebbiolo: pale ruby color, fresh aromas of cherry and wild rose with spicy notes and a hint of undergrowth. The palate delivers red berries and red apple, medium body, elegant tannins, and a lightly tannic finish. It's tight and austere the way good Nebbiolo should be — delivering cherry, currant, and walnut with depth and balance.

Drink it now through 2026, give it an hour in the decanter, and watch it unfold.