Topolovino Baja Nebbiolo, 2016

Nebbiolo from Mexico??? Yes, Nebbiolo is the trademark grape of the cool Piedmont area of Italy, but Mexican Nebbiolo is on the wine-by-the-glass list at  Rick Bayless's Frontera Grill in Chicago. And the wine goes well with the spicy, cheesy fare at the restaurant. How does it compare with Nebbiolo from northern Italy?

Deep, dark, purplish. But it has probably been aged in small, new oak barriques (as it is at some Piedmont estates). The smells and flavors of Nebbiolo are readily apparent--cherries, flowers, licorice and spice. Also some currant and cassis. A big, tannic wine but lacks the acidity and freshness of the Fontanafredda Nebbiolo I had last night. Actually gets a bit tiring to drink by the end of the meal but is a good counter to the excellent beef tip enchiladas. I would order it again but am not going out to buy it for my cellar.