Francesco Versio Langhe Nebbiolo 2023

Francesco Versio Langhe Nebbiolo comes from a young Piedmontese winemaker who works with precision and a light hand, recognised in 2015 with the Premio Giulio Gambelli for winemakers under 35. It is made from Nebbiolo, the noble variety of the Langhe, grown on the region's calcareous marl soils in north-west Italy. Nebbiolo is an early budding, late ripening grape that needs the long autumn of the Langhe hills to ripen fully, and the calcareous soils and cool continental climate give it the pale colour, high acidity, firm tannin and aromatic complexity for which it is known. This is a natural wine, made with minimal intervention. It is aged in wood, which settles the tannins and adds a savoury frame through gentle oxygen exchange while keeping the wine fresh and expressive. It is pale garnet, with a nose of fresh cherry and redcurrant lifted by rose, dried herbs and a tar and leather character that develops with air. The palate is medium bodied and finely structured at 14.5% alcohol, with bright acidity, firm grippy tannins and a long, savoury, earthy finish. Serve at 16 to 18C, decanting ahead, with roast and braised meats and game.