B-21 Top Recommendation
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"...the wines are rooted in classic Langhe traditions while expressing precision and transparency." - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
You might think the above quote from Monica Larner refers to one of Piedmont's age-old, historic estates, but in fact, she's referring to Margherita Otto, one of the region's newest upstarts, which is gaining serious attention and acclaim from the critical sphere. Founded by American Alan Manley, the winery's first commercial vintage was the excellent 2015 campaign, and now Manley is hitting full stride. Sourcing fruit from three parcels that abut some Barolo's most iconic crus, he makes his wine in the old-school assemblaggio method, blending the fruit prior to long fermentation and maceration in concrete vats. Aging takes place in large botti, endowing the wines with wonderful classical appeal.
The trio on offer here is a textbook introduction to Manley's style, and as you can see, the press is impressed. The WA96 Barolo from the hallowed 2021 vintage is "beautifully etched and focused ... a complete expression of Nebbiolo with remarkable aromatic purity, elegant structure and impressive mid-palate length." Its 2020 predecessor likewise notched 96 points for its approachable charm. "It’s a gorgeous, complex wine," notes Antonio Galloni, "a classy, elegant Barolo through and through." Finally, the 93-point 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo is "a beautiful, fresh wine designed to be enjoyed young, yet it clearly has another gear." As new discoveries go, Piedmont is not the first place you look, but this trio shows that even in a region as old and established as Piedmont, there's something new under the sun. | 
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