Roagna Langhe Rosso, Piedmont, Italy 2018

Roagna's Langhe Rosso is a wine that overdelivers in a big way. Without a doubt, it represents some of the best values that we know of for traditional Nebbiolo. Langhe Rosso is a humble designation (like Bourgogne Rouge), but Roagna's has no trouble going head-to-head with Barolos and Barbarescos.

For many, Langhe Rosso is an easy-going category, but Roagna's is made in a very serious style. The wine undergoes a month-long maceration, followed by several years in large oak casks and a year in bottle.

The grapes come from two highly coveted sites: Pira in Barolo's Castiglione Falleto and Pajé in Barbaresco. Any vines in these sites under 20 years old go into the Langhe Rosso.

The 2018 Langhe Rosso has bright and explosive aromatics. There's a beautiful combination of pulverized herbs, cherry fruit, and a brisk and slightly stern backbone. Overall, it gives you the impression of nimbleness and pure classic Nebbiolo. It's a really pretty wine that's exciting to drink.

You can debate practically anything in wine. But, there is one thing we feel confident saying:  Luca Roagna produces the best wine for the money in Piedmont.

The final wine, like his Barbarescos, is gorgeous. Spiced, red fruited, powerful on the palate while still being widely aromatic. It’s of those dizzying bottles that showcases why nebbiolo is one of the world's great grapes.