Our Visit to Ferdinando Principiano, May 2023

Date of visit: May 31, 2023

This past May we visited Ferdinando Principiano. During our visit we tasted the new vintages of many of Principiano’s wines for the first time, and also revisited some wines which we’d tasted during our previous visit in October 2022. All of the wines showed beautifully, and it was interesting to revisit the wines we’d previously tasted to see how they’ve evolved.

*To read about our first visit to Principiano, and for our full write up on this outstanding producer click here.

Nicolò and Ferdinando both possess an unbelievable wealth of knowledge and provide an incredibly informative tasting. We spoke with them in depth about the work they’re doing in the vineyards and cellar, and some of the biodynamic practices they employ, such as following the moon cycle for farming and bottling. We also spoke about some projects which they’ve embarked on outside of wine, such as planting lavender, vegetables, and olive trees in Murazzano. They both couldn’t be more passionate about the work that they do, and this reflects in the wines which they’re crafting.

We began the tasting with the 2018 vintage of Principiano’s Alta Langa sparkling wine, “Leonardo”. A great way to start the tasting.

Our Tasting Notes

2018 Alta Langa Leonardo: Grown in a 1.4 hectare plot in Serravalle Langhe. Made from a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay which are co-fermented, and vinified using the “Solo Uva” method; no sugar is added during the second fermentation in bottle, instead 10% of the must of the same vintage is saved and then added. 4,000 bottles were produced. Elegant aromas of brioche, yellow apple skins, and delicate notes of wheat. Flavors of tart citrus and apples, backed by vibrant acidity and super fine perlage. Very clean, direct, and smooth. An extremely enjoyable sparkling Alta Langa.  

2021 Langhe Bianco: Made from 100% Timorasso grapes grown in Serravalle Langhe. Spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel. Half is then aged in stainless steel and half in oak, followed by 9 or 10 months in bottle. Aromas of brioche, buddhas hand, and some powdery perfume-like notes. The mouthfeel is super smooth, silky, and oily, with lively acidity and delivers flavors of croissants, buddhas hand, and tart apples. A very exotic, interesting, and enjoyable wine.

2022 Dolcetto d’Alba: Fruit forward and lively aromas of ripe red berries, cooked strawberries,  and red tea rose lead the way followed by hints of new leather. The palate is filled with juicy, fruit-forward flavors of cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and some almonds on the finish. Very smooth, well integrated tannins, and a silky mouthfeel. A really beautiful expression of Dolcetto. 

2021 Langhe Freisa: Vines are grown at 400-450 meters above sea level in Monforte d’Alba. Delicate extraction with 1 pump over per day. Bottled July 2022. Just 4,000 bottles produced. Aromas of dark chocolate, roses, rustic red berry notes; crushed cherries, cranberries, and currents, as well as red flowers, cherry blossoms, and forest floor. The palate is filled with flavors of crushed cherry juice, pomegranates, and cranberries, with super fine, silky tannins, along with lively acidity backed by a classic Freisa-like tannic structure.

2019 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba: Grapes are grown exclusively in Serralunga d’Alba, 80% of which is grown in the Boscareto vineyard, and 20% of which is grown in the Lirano vineyard. Nicolò explained that the 2019 vintage experienced great diurnal shifts and grapes enjoyed slow maturation. Harvest took place during the middle of October. The nose is super expressive, lively, and energetic, filled with captivating aromas which draw you in; cherry blossoms, licorice, cherry tree sap, spice box and dry tobacco. The palate is filled with flavors of tart cherry juice, cranberries, and pomegranates, with nuances of leather. Juicy, fresh, structured, yet very approachable, with ultra fine, beautifully integrated, mouth enveloping tannins, and a persistent finish. 

2020 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba (from vat): This wine has not yet been bottled, the sample which we tasted was taken from vat. Exotic, lively, fresh, and energetic aromas of maraschino cherries, cola, anise, licorice, and just a hint of reductiveness. The palate is very approachable and expressive, filled with flavors of raspberries, cherries, leather, and baking spices, with super fine, mouth drying tannins that are already somewhat integrated, though of course still youthful and gritty. An extremely impressive Barolo, especially given that it hasn't even been bottled yet. We’re eagerly looking forward to tasting this again, once bottled, this will be a beautiful wine.

2019 Barolo Ravera di Monforte: Not to be confused with the Ravera vineyard site in Novello, this vineyard site is located in Monforte d’Alba. This plot is farmed 100% by hand as it is too steep to be accessed by machine. The grass is cut by sickle, which Nicoló explained allows for better sun exposure, and reduces humidity. This vineyard is a pilot vineyard of sorts for many of Principiano’s projects. They’ve experimented breeding butterflies, and the vineyard is home to many wild orchids. Some vines in this vineyard date back to 1934. A complex nose reveals aromas of cigar box, licorice, anise, wild flowers, red fruits, herbs, orange peel, baking spices, chinona bark, tobacco, and mint, much of which carries over to the palate, along with dried herbs. A remarkably silky mouthfeel, great freshness, and tannins which are already integrated quite nicely. 

2019 Barolo Boscareto: Principiano’s flagship Barolo is made from a selection of the best grapes from the Boscareto vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba, which is located just beneath Giacomo Conterno’s Cascina Francia. 100% whole cluster fermented, gently crushed by foot. Aged in oak for 24 months, followed by additional time in bottle. This hasn't been released to market just yet, Ferdinando thinks he will wait another year or 2 before doing so. Aromas of anise, crushed cherries, and licorice lead the way on the nose. The palate is juicy, energetic, and bright, filled with flavors of leather and tart crushed cherries, alongside an impressive structure, with fine, nicely integrated tannins. Very elegant and beautiful. We’re anxiously awaiting this wines release.

Thank You

Grazie mille Nicolò and Ferdinando for welcoming us back, and for graciously sharing your wines with us. This is extremely kind and generous of you, and we can’t thank you enough. Your wines are absolutely amazing! We hope to see you again very soon!