EXCLUSIVE & SUPERIOR WINE ALERT!

Today’s wine is so special that we issued this special alert! This wine is an exclusive selection of an absolutely magnificent wine.

SECRET SAVINGS ALERT:

Subscribe to our Daily Dispatch (above) and you’ll always know what our Top Secret coupon code of the day is. Every day we issue a new members-only code that entitles you to have Ground Shipping included on orders of six or more and, sometimes, an added discount!

Mission Codename: Barolo Bada-BING!

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Secure an exceptional single vineyard Barolo worthy of our operatives’ tables and cellars

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Reverdito Michele

Wine Subject: 2001 Barolo ‘Badarina’ DOCG

Winemaker: Michele Reverdito

Backgrounder:

The greatest of all Italian wines are arguably made with from the Nebbiolo grape. Barolo, from the Piedmont made this grape famous, and for good reason. Most people don’t give Barolo enough time and drink them young, but those patient enough to wait at least 7 – 8 years, and often as much as 20 plus years are handsomely rewarded with a wine that is the ultimate expression of the grape. The most prized bottlings of Barolo are those from an exceptional single vineyard.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dark and deep ruby with orange and brick hues along the edges and a dark clear core. Slow fat legs ring the glass that are followed by fat tears that hang for an extended time before slowly descending to the wine below.

Smell – This wine has a redolent nose that hits you immediately upon pulling the cork. Aromas of smokey and tangy blackberry and raspberry fruit are layered over floral violets, earth, zesty Italian tar, and cedar Highly complex, aromas of fresh white pepper and tobacco reveals themselves as the wine opens up.

Feel – Full-bodied, bold and dry, with firm highly textured, almost powdered, grippy tannins (softens as it breathes) that coats the far reaches of the palate. Exceptional acidity and a solid spiciness lingers long into the finish.

Taste – Serious and exacting, this bold wine balances its complex spice, floral and cedar over restrained tangy and tart red and black fruit. Zesty tar, tobacco, earth and a tiny hint of licorice emerge and linger framing the fruit perfectly.

Finish – Extremely long with blackberry, raspberry and sour cherry dance over the palate as this wine’s textured tannins linger with slowly fading white pepper spice.

Conclusion – This single vineyard Barolo is a classic old-world wine that is both focused and restrained. This wine’s grippy textured tannins hold on tight and don’t let go. The epitome of Barolo is its bold power. Pair this classic with everything simple buttered tagliatelle noodles and shaved truffles to Osso Buco. If enjoying this wine now, be sure to give it plenty of time or decant, otherwise cellar it for up to ten or more years. Cin Cin!

Mission Report:

Below is a recap of the mission when we first discovered Reverdito Michele.

After last week’s dangerous mission I needed to get back on a firm footing, plus we still hadn’t located Agent Baco Noir. We had lost contact with her in Tuscany, but my gut told me to head back to the Piedmont to pick up her trail.

And why not, anyone who follows our missions knows her (and mine also) love for the wines of Northwest Italy. In particular, Barolo, which is, in my humble opinion, in my top three of all Italian wine styles (before you jump all over me, the others are Amarone della Valpolicella and Brunello di Montalcino).

Unfortunately, may of the greatest of these wines are either inaccessible or drunk too young. I’m as impatient as the next wino, but if you can wait, you’ll be handsomely rewarded.

I made my way to Alba, an old medieval town, south of Torino, made famous for its White Truffle Festival, held each October, and of course Rocher Ferrero chocolate! I always love exploring the back roads in Italian villages. I stumbled into a small cafe/wine bar in the Piazza del Duomo, initially planning to simply enjoy a coffee, but to my surprise, at an adjacent table, was the young and dynamic Michele Reverdito, owner and winemaker of Azienda Agricola Reverdito Michele.

I immediately recognized him since we have featured one of his exceptional Barbarescos earlier in the year. Michele invited me to his table, and asked if I would like a glass of wine.

“Coffee is fine for now, its been a long day travelling”, I responded.

“Are you sure?, I have a bottle of my 2001 Barolo Bricci Cogni, I think you should try it…”

“In that case, why not!”, I responded, thinking to myself, who? in their right mind, would decline a taste of a single vineyard Barolo, especially from such an exceptional winemaker?

The look on my face must have been a total give away, I was immediately transported. There is just something about enjoying a great wine, with great food, in a great little Italian piazza, its just quite simply heaven. In a word, this wine is magnificent!

I guess my search for Baco would just have to wait…

Top Secret Message to Agent Baco Noir:

OPS SEEKING CONTACT WITH YOU… NEEDS TASTING NOTES ON YOUR WINERIES UNDER SURVEILLANCE… CONTACT WHITE POST HASTE

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the approximate location of Reverdito Michele’s vineyard can be seen in this satellite photo.