Birthdays are the perfect time to celebrate popping bottles and drinking the good stuff. Earlier this year I had received a couple of bottles of Barbaresco and Barolo from Poderi Colla and no time like the present to sample them. Although for a Barolo and Barbaresco these wines are in their youth, they will further benefit from aging. Luckily I got an extra bottle of each so I’ll be able to watch their progression as they age.
The Winery ~ Poderi Colla
The Colla family has been making wine since the 1700’s. Pietro Colla was an important figure in the Piedmont wine industry serving as a member of the Asti Consortium newly established back in 1932. His oldest son, Beppe, was also a prominent figure whom took over the well-known Cavaliero Prunotto estate in 1956, which was later sold over to the Antinori family in the 90’s. Beppe was part of establishing the regulations for the Alba DOC’s and cru vineyard sites. He was also the first in the Langhe to use cru on the Barolo labels with the 1961 Prunotto Barolo Bussia. Unfortunately, Beppe recently passed away in January of 2019.
Poderi Colla was founded in 1994 by Pietro’s youngest son, Tino, and Beppe’s daughter, Federica. They merged three of their properties in creation of the winery including Cascine Drago in San Rocco Seno d’Elvio di Alba, Tenuta Roncaglia in Barbaresco and Dardi Le Rose in Bussia di Monforte d’Alba. In 2016 they also added a fourth estate, Bricco Bompe in Madonna di Come di Alba.
Since almost the beginning of their inception Poderi Colla has taken part in Piedmont’s agricultural environmental program that focused on limiting pesticides, using fertilizers like worm compost and focusing on producing organic wines.
The Wine
2016 Poderi Colla Tenuta Roncaglie Barbaresco
This wine spends 14 months in large botti. This Barbaresco, along with the Barolo, are grown in south to southwest facing steep hills made of calcareous marl and sand. As with all Barolo and Barbaresco these wines are made of 100% nebbiolo. Garnet red in color. Delicious red fruits of raspberries and cherries. A solid backbone of acidity showing such elegance in the glass. I was impressed by this wine’s approachability with a 2016 vintage, but I can imagine the beauty of this wine with age. ABV 14% SRP $65
2015 Poderi Colla Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose
This wine hails from the Bussia vineyards in Monforte d’Alba. Spending about 12-15 days of maceration. Aged in Slavonian oak for 2 years with an additional year in the bottle. Garnet colored with brick hues on the rim. Layered aromas of red and black cherries, licorice, spice and dried roses. Juicy acidity with tight tannins that become more silky towards the finish that is lengthy. ABV 14% SRP $75
*These wines were provided as samples, but opinions are always my own.
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