Pelassa Antaniolo Roero Riserva DOCG, 2011

This wine is 100% Nebbiolo from Roero, the hilly area just across the river from the more well known (and expensive) Barolo and Barbaresco appellations. Because they are less expensive and usually more fruit forward, I am prone to drink Roero Nebbiolos with every day fare but they are often serious dinner wines that can be aged for many years.

Beautiful bright ruby. Fragrant but not showy. Bing cherries, roses, aromatic spices. Black licorice tones emerge on the palate. Ripe and full bodied but tannins are supple and well balanced with acidity. Cherry tinged finish. As the winery claims, it should be "listed among the wines calling for maximum attention." Even though we drank it on a week night with grass fed beef hamburger, I gave it maximum attention, and found it more than worthy.