Fabrizio Battaglino, Vezza d'Alba (Piemonte)

"Fabrizio Battglino's small winery seems to have returned for good among the top producers of Roero. The vineyards are at Vezza d'Alba, on the steep sloping hills of Colla and Mombello, where soils are sandy and face south at an altitude of 350 metres above sea level. The classic varieties of Roero are grown, Arneis, Nebbiolo and Barbera, and tradition is interpreted to craft a series of technically flawless wines full of delicious fruit, carefully designed for delightful drinkability." (Gambero Rosso 2013)

Fabrizio Battaglino's family's estate dates back to the early 1960s when Fabrizio's grandfather, Riccardo, became one of the first independent growers in the Roero district to produce estate-bottled Barbera and Nebbiolo although in those days much of the crop was sold to the local co-operative. More...

2016 Roero Arneis Crisp, classy white with Alpine freshness and crunchy, peachy fruit. 20% DISCOUNT FOR UNMIXED CASES more details...	£12.00 (Bottle) £93.00 (12 btls in bond)
2015 Nebbiolo d'Alba  Far removed from the style of nearby Barbaresco and Barolo, this comes from the hills where Giacosa produces its Langhe Nebbiolo. Very smooth and sumptuous! more details...	£13.00 (Bottle) £102.00 (12 btls in bond)
2015 Barbera d'Alba 'Munbel' Intensely fruity, rather serious Barbera from a top vintage. more details...	£14.00 (Bottle) £114.00 (12 btls in bond)
2009 Roero 'Bric Bastia' (37.5cl) Delicious sweet wine bursting with flavour. 2 bichhieri more details...	£18.00 (Bottle) £84.00 (6 btls in bond)
2011 Nebbiolo d'Alba 'Colla' Intensely fruity red more details...	£18.00 (Bottle) £75.00 (6 btls in bond)
2011 Roero 'Sergentin' Highly sophisticated Nebbiolo that would put many a Barolo to shame. more details...	£18.00 (Bottle) £75.00 (6 btls in bond)
2010 Roero 'Sergentin' Very sophisticated, elegant Roero from one of the region's more intelligent winemakers. 2 bichhieri SPECIAL SALE PRICE THIS WEEK more details...	£18.00 (Bottle)
2012 Roero 'Sergentin' Gloriously ripe Nebbiolo from one of the top producers in Roero more details...	£18.00 (Bottle) £75.00 (6 btls in bond)
2013 Roero 'Sergentin' Riserva Stunning Riserva from Fabrizio Battaglino. Nebbiolo at its best - one to rival Barolo and Barbaresco! more details...	£20.00 (Bottle) £174.00 (12 btls in bond)

Since then, the family's wines have been recommended in Luigi Veronelli's wine guide (from 1973) and, more recently, in Gambero Rosso with a Tre Bicchieri award in the 2011 Guide (only Fabrizio's second year in the guide!), much deserved recognition of Fabrizio's efforts.

As with many other estates throughout Piedmont, production is necessarily small as there are only four hectares of vines at 350 metres altitude in the Colla and Munbèl hills around Vezza. planted to Nebbiolo, Barbera and Arneis which make wines from  Nebbiolo d'Alba, Roero, Barbera d'Alba, Roero Arneis as well as an exotic, late-harvest Arneis.

Visitors will always enjoy an extremely friendly welcome when visiting Fabrizio at the cellars beneath his parents' home. Fabrizio was immediately very welcoming to the whole family, something which Italians are famed for but you have to experience it first-hand nonetheless. He immediately came across as a sensitive person, something which is reflected in his wines.

Blog: First taste    2011 visit    With food    Roero 2009     At the Lido     At the IOD     At La Trompette     2012 visit     Gambero Rosso

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