Long Overdue Notes - The Barolo Boys In Piedmont April 2018 - Part Five - Lunch With Fabio Alessandria

One of the most enjoyable times to be had when visiting Piedmont is to meet the winemakers and have time to talk with them properly. Even better when they offer up lunch and bring the wines! :-)

We had such luck and an amazing lunch last year when Fabio brought six different vintages of his Sauvignon Blanc, in the shape of Viridis (first vintage 2001) and Dives (first vintage 1991).

50% of the The Barolo Boys with Fabio on the way to the restaurant

2012 Abtserde, Keller
Fabio loves Riesling (who doesn`t!) and this was brought as a start of the lunch. The nose is high, pure and intense with notes of rhubarb, grass, lots of chushed slate and a hint of rubber. Very, very fine.
The taste is refined and racy with notes of crystalline lemons, slate, grass and a hint of band aid. Very concentrated. Very, very long. Stunning wine.
93p   (tasted 2018/04)

2017 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Virides
Bottled just 20 days before, this baby shows of a juicy nose with notes of elderberries, white currants, cucucmber and hints of white pepper. Very, very good.
The taste is stony and fresh with notes of steel, grass and cucumber. Sappy and fine. One more sip is needed, and another, and...
90p   (tasted 2018/04)

2016 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Dives
The 16 Dives is a beauty with notes of spruce shoots, birch leaves, dried up honey and white pepper. Very deep and fine.
The taste is spicy and refined with notes of white flowers, white peppers, a salt stone and earth. Very long and lingering.
92p   (tasted 2018/04)

2013 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Virides
A cool nose with notes of goose berries, gravel, spices and dry grass. Somewhat withdrawn.
The taste is fresh and high spirited with more character and flair than the nose. Notes of yellow plums, spices, white currants and grass. Very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2018/04)

2013 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Dives
The 13 Dives is a beauty. The Acacia wood has brought subtle oaky notes alongside fresh spices, dried up vanilla ice cream, white pepper and hay. Very fine.
The taste is tight and handsome with notes of white pepper, red currants, dried up passion fruit and gravel. Long. Great wine.
93p   (tasted 2018/04)

2010 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Virides
A gravelly, cool nose with notes of herbs, minerals, some goose berry scents and grass. Fresh and fine.
The taste is cool and elegant with notes of mineral, almonds, herbs and gravel. A fine dryness at the end of the finish. Very, very good.
89p   (tasted 2018/04)

2010 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Dives
Too bad - corked! #¤"&%¤/&!
Not rated   (tasted 2018/04)

2009 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Dives
A deep, crisp nose woth notes of dry grass, white pepper and candle grease. Refined. Very, very good.
The taste is fine and fresh with notes of minerals, white currants and yellow apples. A fine acidity. 
88p   (tasted 2018/04)

2008 Langhe Sauvignon Blanc Virides
This ten year old Sauvignon Blanc displays some Riesling like aromas on the nose, in the shape of smoke, rubber and peach. Some grass also. Very fine.
The taste is cool, dry and expressive with notes of lemons, white pepper, mineral and spices. Very long and delicate. Lovely.
91p   (tasted 2018/04)