Valdinera Nebbiolo d'Alba Sontuoso, 2011

Sontuoso is the Italian word for sumptuous, and this wine is sumptuous although it did require three and a half hours of aeration to show its best. From vineyards across the river in Roero, this Nebbiolo d'Alba comes close to matching the richness and power of a good Barolo.

Bright ruby with orangeish tones typical of Nebbiolo. Tar and roses, indeed! Very aromatic and very Nebbiolo. Dark cherries, rich and concentrated.  Substantial skin tannins on the mid-palate provide flavor as well as structure. Plenty of acidity for balance. And then the dark cherry finish, which gets more sumptuous, concentrated and complex with every sip.