The estate’s 2011 Anthos (Brachetto) flows from the glass with sweet dark cherries, plums, juniper berries and herbs. All the qualities of this quirky indigenous grape come through beautifully. The warmth of the vintage has given the 2011 a little more textural richness and depth than is typically the case. This is a fabulous showing. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2015. It was great to go back to Correggia, as a few years had passed since my last visit. Ornella Correggia’s children, whom I remembered as young, are of course now grown up. Her son Giovanni looks set to continue the work of his late father. Longtime winemaker Luca Rostango has also pretty much grown up at the winery. In recent years, the estate has introduced large casks for a portion of their Barbera and Nebbiolo, marking a slight change in style that is now quite the norm throughout Piemonte. I also tasted a handful of older wines. While there is little question that the Correggia wines can age for years, whether they improve materially in bottle or not is another question, and a much more complex one to address. One of the myths of French oak is that it would “integrate” over time. The reality is that oak has to be perfectly integrated at the outset for wines to age well and gracefully. Various American importers, including: Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300; Robert Houde Wines, Elk Grove Village, IL; tel. (847) 430-3887; Giuliana Imports, Boulder, CO; tel. (303) 449-5477; Cavatappi Distribution, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 282-5226

The 2010 Anthos (Brachetto) is a bit fleeting in this vintage, but still texturally quite pretty. Crushed flowers, sweet herbs, licorice and dried cherries are some of the notes that waft from the glass in this intriguing if eccentric red. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2013. Even with the recent emergence of a number of growers in Roero, Correggia remains a reference-point winery. This year marks the tenth anniversary of Matteo Correggia’s untimely passing. In a decade that has seen such a huge explosion of quality in Piedmont and Roero it is only natural to wonder what kind of wines Correggia might be making if he were alive today. But you can’t live in the past, and the reality is that this is a very fine set of wines from the estate. As is often the case, many of the true jewels lie among the simpler offerings. Various American importers, including: Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119, AHAWines, Portland, OR; tel. (503) 806-4472, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411

The 2009 Brachetto Anthos is an attractive, if eccentric, wine. Sweet medicinal herbs, dried flowers and dried cherries are just some of the nuances that waft from the glass as this ethereal, haunting red reveals its class and elegance. Clean, mineral notes frame the exquisite, delicate finish. This is a fabulous effort from Correggia. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014. This is a lovely set of entry-level wines from Matteo Correggia. Roero remains an excellent source for wines that generally remain under the radar and well priced relative to Barolo and Barbaresco. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; tel. (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; tel. (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; tel. (630) 422-1119

The medium-bodied 2003 Anthos (Brachetto) floats on the palate with ethereal notes of candied cherries, sweet medicinal herbs and spices. The sandy soils of Roero give this wine a feminine, floral quality that is absolutely irresistible. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2010. This small estate is a great source for the wines of Roero, the emerging appellation located across the valley from Barbaresco, in Piedmont. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411