Jay Kline

9.3

A couple of weeks back, I opened a bottle of the 2017 that was supposed to be my first impression of the latest release. Ferrando’s Carema “Etichetta Bianca” is one of my favorite wines in Piemonte and, well, it was a false start. It was brown, tasted like it was 30 years old, full of secondary characteristics and lacking any of the elegance or structure I’ve come to expect from these wines year in and year out. The cork appeared to be perfect; not sure what happened. It was just, flat. So, I opened another one of my bottles this weekend to see if I was dealing with a much broader issue. Much to my delight, this bottle was proper.

Tonight, the wine poured a striking, garnet color with a transparent core and a slightly watery rim. No staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. The wine is intense, woodsy, and has the smell of strong BO, spicy but in a good way? Like someone put on a fancy cologne to cover the fact that they haven’t showered in a week. Weird…I know…but trust me. You’ll smell it and then you’ll like it. Red flowers, red fruits like dried cherries and porchini too. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Long finish. Dried cherries, exotic spices and dried herbs. Overall, I got the impression of a round but rustic wine; unique in a way I have come to expect from these wines over the years. I had a little bit left in the bottle that I held over until the next day and it became even more fresh on Day 2. Based off my experience, you can certainly open these now and enjoy with some patience but I think these will benefit from some time in the cellar. Next bottle after 2027. — 4 years ago

Madeline Schimmels

8.9

Smooth, tart, funky, buttery, rich, delicious. The typa whites I like. $24 — 5 years ago

with Zechariah

noone

9.0

Grape seed, cherry, lovely acidity and slight sweetness. Glouglou!!! — 6 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.1

My new ‘ house ‘ red- mountain Nebbiolo w some Negrette(I think), a fave Carema producer- under 17$ & beautifully balanced, tart ( but check as it evolves in glass) — 7 years ago

Steve Martinelli

9.4

Having purchased several bottles, I wanted to give this a test run. Let it decant for two hours and indeed, she rewarded me. A huge nose of dried red flowers, violets, cranberry, cherry, a hint of earth and tar. Drinking fairly well now but she needs to lay for a few years to fully reward you. Carema is a wonderful region for Nebbiolo! — 8 years ago

Caleb Schiff

9.0

Good nerello with minimal oak. Needs lots of time to show itself, oddly, then iron and the volcanic minerals show. Definitely lighter than most which I appreciate. — 8 years ago

Erik Longabardi

9.0

Pulled from the cellar. Wasn’t expecting much but this was actually good. I dig it — 4 years ago

Brian Agness

9.0

Very acidic with pear notes — 5 years ago

Brandon Chew

9.0

Dark fruit, tinge of shiitake mushroom, give it an hour for the funk to mellow — 6 years ago

Tetsu Nakazawa

9.2

E molto buono. Vogliamo prendere di nuovo. L’ho trovato all’enoteca di Chambers Vini. E rotondo generalmemte, abbiamo sentito il gusto crudo. E come i vini della spina in Puglia. — 6 years ago

Luisa M

9.1

I had no expectations going in for this one— I had never heard of the grower or the varietal (Schioppettino - “little rifle”) before. Spicy pepper and blackberry on the nose, it manages to maintain both of those whilst adding tannins and acids for a balanced, yet very interesting wine. It’s all the more interesting for being a part of the “Vini Veri” movement: no pesticides or GMOs, or alterations to fermentation. Well worth a try. — 7 years ago

Kelly Cagle

9.0

This is a great tasting Moscato for the price. Love the fact that I can get it at my local grocery store. — 8 years ago

Simona Di Fatta

9.1

Caldo e accogliente — 8 years ago

Stuart Scheff

9.2

Mostly Grillo. I love this Italian grape. Grillo and summer go perfect together. — 5 years ago

Dan R

9.1

Natural montepulciano. Comes in a clear bottle 🤷🏼‍♂️. Fully enjoyable, especially with rustic Italian fare. Quite farty on the nose. Tad spritzy. Slightly under ripe cherry on the palate with a minty kick. Tobacco and herbs. This has really nice verve and presence and I love the texture - lactic, almost creamy. Finishes with grainy tannins. Very alive. Tastes like a barrel sample. Drained quickly. — 5 years ago

Shelby

10

Beautiful. Floral, farmy, salty, romantic. I bow down. — 6 years ago

Julie Grogan

9.6

Delicious Puliga wine. Strong, bold flavor. Lots of over ripe, cooked cherry and dried spice flavor. Medium body for such a flavorful wine. I was expecting a thick heavy wine. An excellent value for me, got the 2014 on clearance at the local wine shop for 8.99. — 6 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

8.9

Smells incense-y and lovely. Very floral and bery berry. Nice finish. Rose: petals, hips, and water. For this price I could drink it all day. — 7 years ago

Kyle Harvey

8.9

Probably because I drink too much Etna and am a little spoiled, but this 2015 from the south east Slopes needs a couple of more years to get some tertiary volcanic flavors. Great floral notes and light cherry, but not a lot of persistent. — 8 years ago

Stacy Markow

9.1

I seriously dig it. Smells like salumi. Super savory on the palate. Unlike anything I've had. — 9 years ago

with Lara