At a glance

Producer

Ettore Germano

Region

Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, Italy

Grape variety

Nebbiolo

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$80-$110 USD (750ml, current retail; Wine-Searcher avg as of 2024: ~$90)

Tasting profile

Aromas of cherry liqueur, wild strawberry, rose petal, licorice, tar and subtle mint. Firm, powerful palate with red and black cherry, plum, tobacco leaf, dried herb, leather, and hints of truffle. Tannins are serious but fine, with vivid acidity and a persistent, savory finish.

Evolution: Fruit character is shifting from primary (cherry, raspberry) to more complex, earth-driven notes (dried flowers, tobacco, truffle, forest floor). Tannins mellow and palate gains further textural complexity and umami.

At peak: At its peak the wine will show seamless integration of fruit, earth, and spice, with silken texture, haunting perfume, long finish, and deep tertiary notes (rose, tar, dried porcini, balsamic herbs, sweet leather).

Structure

Acidity

Elevated, classic for top Nebbiolo; provides freshness and longevity

Tannins

Firm yet fine-grained; present and well-integrated, slowly resolving

Alcohol

14%-14.5% (typical for the vintage and producer, well-integrated)

Aging potential

25-35 years from vintage; likely to improve further through 2040 and potentially beyond in excellent storage conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2025 to 2038

Optimal window

2022 to 2041

Current status

Drinking very well, can benefit from further aging

Current condition

Structured and youthful, entering secondary/tertiary development; tannins mellowing but wine is still vigorous with years ahead

2013 is a classic, powerful Barolo vintage with high acidity and tannin; these attributes grant exceptional longevity. While the wine is drinking beautifully now for those who prize freshness and drive, the full layering of aromas/flavors typical of aged Barolo (floral, tar, savory mineral) will blossom mid- to late 2020s through mid-2030s. After 2035, tertiary notes dominate and freshness subtly recedes, but the wine should remain complex and elegant through 2040+.

Food pairing

Pair with classic Piedmontese fare: braised veal shanks (ossobuco), beef cheek ravioli (agnolotti del plin), porcini or truffle risotto, wild game (venison, duck), or hard aged cheeses (Parmigiano Reggiano, Castelmagno). Earth-driven and umami-rich dishes amplify the wine's savory complexity as it ages.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (2-3 hours) — To aerate firm tannins, open up nuanced Barolo aromatics, and allow sediment to settle

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Integrated pest management, limited chemical usage, focus on soil health, native yeast fermentation, minimal intervention approach

Ettore Germano pursues environmentally conscious viticulture, but does not hold formal certification. Emphasis on sustainability in vineyard management and winemaking practices places them above average for the region, though transport and global sales add some carbon load typical for export-driven wineries.