Roero 2015 & Riserva 2014: Latest releases

Stephen Brook takes a look at the latest releases from Roero, including tasting notes & scores...

Roero, being just the other side of the Tanaro river from Barolo and Barbaresco, enjoyed – or suffered from – similar climatic conditions as the two better known zones.

Quick link: See all of Stephen’s Roero tasting notes & scores from this report

2014 was more problematic.

Roero was largely free of frost and hail, but the summer was cool and cloudy. This lack of sunshine slowed the ripening, and in many cases the Nebbiolo wasn’t harvested until late October.

Although some perfectly good wines were made from a small crop, it was not the kind of vintage normally earmarked for Riserva wines – on the other hand, the slight austerity of the vintage may work in favour of wines crafted to show more density and structure.

The main problem for Roero is not climatic, but the reluctance of many producers to validate the appellation. It is perfectly legal to label a Nebbiolo as Langhe Nebbiolo – Barolo-based producers such as Sandrone have long done so and see no reason to change.

Thus although the potential production of Roero is 1.5 million bottles, in reality only 500,000 bottles are declared as such. This reduces the visibility of this DOCG, and robs Roero of some of the renown which it does indeed deserve.

Stephen’s pick of Roero 2015 & Roero Riserva 2014:

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Stephen Brook has been a contributing editor to Decanter since 1996 and has won a clutch of awards for his writing on wine. The author of more than 30 books, his works include Complete Bordeaux, now the definitive study of the region and in its third edition, and The Wines of California, which won three awards. His most recently published book is The Wines of Austria. Brook also fully revised the last two editions of Hugh Johnson’s Wine Companion, and he writes for magazines in many countries.

Roero 2015 & Riserva 2014: Latest releases

Quick link: See all of Stephen’s Roero tasting notes & scores from this report

Stephen’s pick of Roero 2015 & Roero Riserva 2014:

Back to our Piedmont new releases homepage

Ca' Rossa, Valmaggiore Audinaggio, Roero, Vezza d'Alba, Piedmont, Italy, 2015

Angelo Negro & Figli, Prachiosso, Roero, Monteu Roero, Piedmont, Italy, 2015

Generaj, Bric Aût, Roero, Piedmont, Italy, 2015

Malvirà, Renesio, Roero, Canale, Piedmont, Italy, 2014

Cascina Chicco, Montespinato, Roero, Piedmont, Italy, 2015

Deltetto, Braja, Roero, Santo Stefano Roero, Piedmont, Italy, 2014

Val del Prete, Vigna di Lino, Roero, Priocca, Piedmont, Italy, 2015

Bric Castelvej, Roero, Canale, Piedmont, Italy, 2015

Marsaglia, Brich d'America, Roero, Piedmont, Italy, 2015

Maurizio Ponchione, Monfrini, Roero, Piedmont, Italy, 2015

Giuliano Nota, Runcajot, Roero, Piedmont, Italy, 2015

Tibaldi, Roero, Piedmont, Italy, 2015