Luigi Ferrando Carema Etichetta Bianco 2019

The “Etichetta Bianca” is Ferrando’s flagship cuvée, sourced from their historic parcels that are situated along a broad, steep amphitheater in the far Northwestern corner of Italy, in Alpine hills that eventually culminate at the foot of the famous Mont Blanc. The Carema DOCG is tiny, totalling just 16 hectares, and Ferrando owns just 2.5 of those. So, to say this is a small production wine is an understatement. That said, the relative obscurity of this part of Italy meant that Ferrando’s brilliance was largely unrecognized in the U.S., with the exception of a few in-the-know Piedmont lovers and sommeliers. That all changed about 10-15 years ago when both the press and the restaurant world suddenly woke up to the wines of Alto Piedmont in general, and Ferrando in particular. The rest, as they say, is history.

After the cursory four plus years of aging in barrels and the bottle prior to release, the 2019 “Etichetta Bianca” is set to arrive in just a couple of weeks. As mentioned, we were able to secure a small lot on pre-arrival, and can offer it out today prior to what will certainly be glowing reviews and towering scores. This is definitely a wine for the cellar, and will begin to show its full potential only after another five years or so, but if you do want to try one on the young side be sure to give it a good decant of 60 minutes or more. Serve cool, in a large Burgundy stem, and a full spectrum of aromas and flavors will slowly emerge: sweet red cherries, tart strawberries, rose petals, tobacco, mint, turned earth, white pepper, and a touch of blood orange all surrounds a core of slatey, crushed rock minerality. A beautifully vibrant, pale garnet now, it will slowly develop hues of brick and sunset orange, and you’ll want to experience that so be sure to grab enough to enjoy over the next 10-20 years!