The 2019 Langhe Nebbiolo was bottled in March and was being prepared for release when I tasted this sample at the winery in July. Fruit comes mostly from the Ravera cru (the highest elevation rows of Ravera go into the TreTin blend), and the lower part of this vineyard site was previously planted to Dolcetto but recently converted over to Nebbiolo. That new fruit is earmarked for this wine. Additional fruit is sourced from the 1.3-hectare Bussia Sottana parcel. This is a fresh, mid-weight wine with bright primary intensity, cassis and dark cherry. Floral nuances and licorice round off the accessible mouthfeel.

The 2017 Langhe Nebbiolo is sourced from 20-year-old vines in the Ravera cru that could otherwise be used to make Barolo. Because the vines are deemed too young for Rinaldi Barolo, the fruit goes here instead. Only 7,000 bottles are made. This easy wine offers dark fruit aromas with soft tannins and a smooth texture. This is a versatile wine that would pair with one of Piedmont's favorite dishes: poached egg topped with shaved white truffle.

The 2016 Langhe Nebbiolo gives us a great idea of the excellent quality of fruit we can expect when the 2016 Barolos are released in two years' time. This less formal wine shows impressive clarity and precision with extra crunchiness and tartness on the finish. Blue fruit aromas of blueberry and wild plum take center stage. This Nebbiolo was bottled in February and is hitting the market now. The Brunate vineyard had hail damage in 2016, and up to 20% of production was lost. Warm and dry weeks in August helped to bring the fruit to optimal ripeness.

Giuseppe Rinaldi's 2015 Langhe Nebbiolo offers a frank and forward style with dark fruit, spice and a more pungent touch of freshly milled pepper. The bouquet is unexpected and there is a point of maturity or openness that comes from the heat of the vintage (and in the case of this sample from the fact that the bottle had been opened 12 hours before my tasting at the winery). This wine is suitable for near-term drinking.

The 2013 Langhe Nebbiolo shows a great level of finesse and freshness without the austerity you get with Barolo. It opens to big cherry fruit definition with balsam herb and licorice. In the mouth, this Langhe Nebbiolo shows soft tannins and a supple feel. The 2013 vintage is shaping up to be a classic year for Nebbiolo, close on the heels of 2010.