Tasting of Fratelli Alessandria wines

Hills and small valleys, beautiful landscape views with the Turin river shining waters. Then vines line-up everywhere. A load of images of pretty places comes into our minds when Vittore Alessandria talks about his family vineyard, in the Piemonte region in the Northwest of Italy.

Fratelli Alessandria is a family run vineyard founded in 1870 and now running 14ha of vines, 12 being over Verduno in the North and 2 being over Monforte d’Alba, South of Piemonte. There have the classic area vines of Nebiollo, Barbera and Dolcetto, but also native varieties like Freisa, Pelaerga Piccolo and Favorita.

The vines and the cellar

A great focus is put on the vines and no herbicides are used in the vineyards. The same care is applied to the cellar as everything is clean, from barrels to older wooden cask to avoid the bacteria that causes Brett of other faulty taste or aromas. They prefer to be auto-critic and challenging themselves in a way to make the better wine possible for their clients. They are only using their fruits and don’t buy some from surrounding vineyards.

Fratelli Alessandria Prinsìot Langhe Nebbiolo 2014

Of course the Nebbiolo is their main grape grown in their vineyards, even if this requires more work in order to meet the requirements to be classified in the right appellation, from Barolo to Langhe Nebbiolo etc.  For example, this grave variety likes South facing exposure, be planted on elevated slopes and in proper climatic conditions to give the best fruit possible.

The Northern part of that region is associated to a micro-climate influenced by the Turin River running at the bottom of the surrounding hills, bringing fresh nights. The blue clay soils makes very fine wines as opposed to the ones coming from the South of Barolo region planted over packed sandy soils that brings more power and tannins to the wines. There is so much complexity in that area that covers only 12km long by 6km wine of land!

Then Vittore Alessandria explained their vision for the many wines they’re producing and brought up the typical spiciness that is present in all of their wines, which we all found in the presented wines.

Another proof of their devotion on making great wines, Vittore added this: « if there is wine left in the bottle when two person are going out in a restaurant and sharing a great meal, then you know the wine wasn’t good enough». I like that vision and the goal behind it; making wine that makes you want to go through the bottle!

The wines now

Fratelli Alessandria Favorita Langhe 2014 (25,20$ – Code SAQ: 13111906)

Saline nose with pear, ripe apples, spices and floral notes. Same on the palate with the additional spices on the finish. This is really tasty! Very good (89)

Aged in tanks for 3-4 months on lees. The Favorita grape is often compared to Vermentino grapes.

Fratteli Allessandria Priòra Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2014

Fratelli Alessandria Dolcetto d’Alba 2015 (21,95$ – Code SAQ : 11580186)

Medium dark ruby color with purple hue. Fresh plum notes with crushed red fruits and spices. Red crunchy and spicy fruits burst on the palate, this wine is on the quaffable side. Very good (89)

This wine is made fir its drinkability even if that grape can make more complex wines. Aged in stainless and/or cement tanks for 5 to 7 months.

Fratteli Allessandria Priòra Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2014 (33,50$ – Code SAQ : 12034195)

Darker color. The nose offers more depth and complexity. More complex on the palate too, this is quite balance and have great fruit, spices and earth flavors. Very good+ (90)

Made of Barbera. Aged 12 to 14 months in 500L oak barrels and/or 20-40hl French or Slovenian oak cask.

Fratelli Alessandria Prinsìot Langhe Nebbiolo 2014 (31,25$ – Code SAQ : 12131104)

Garnet color. Nose of flowers with some berry notes, very fine. The the wine opened up as a flower would with even more floral and red fruit aromas. On the palate the wine is juicy, tasty and highly enjoyable. Excellent (91)

Made of Nebbiolo, 40% of the fruits being from the young Barolo vines. Aged 10 months in 20-40hl French or Slovenian oak cask then few months in stainless tanks. The name « Prinsiot » comes from their family nickname for Prince, as their house and cellar are quite big in that village.

Fratelli Alessandria Gramolere Barolo 2012 (70,50$ – Code SAQ : 12247684)

Dark garnet color. Nose and palate where flowers, earth, leather and fruit notes blends all together in an elegant and fresh even if the finish is a little dry at the moment. Excellent (91)

Aged 3 years in 20-40hl Slovenian oak cask, 2 months in stainless tanks and then at least 6 months in bottle prior to release.

Fratelli Alessandria Monvigliero Barolo 2012 (157,00$ pour le 1,5L – Code SAQ: 12499064)

Dark garnet color. Very floral and seductive nose, the richness, the depth and the complexity of the wine can be felt just by smelling it! Flavors of blood orange, red fruits, flowers, earth, light leather notes, this is complex yet enjoyable. Magnificent wine with balance and a long finish. Superb (93)

Aged 3 years in 20-40hl Slovenian oak cask, 2 months in stainless tanks and then at least 6 months in bottle prior to release.

Their wines are really great products and this was not the last time you’ll see then poured into my glasses…

Fratelli Alessandria’s website:  fratellialessandria.it

Many thanks to Oenopole for the invite to this event:  oenopole.ca