At a glance

Producer

Cavallotto

Region

Langhe, Piedmont, Italy

Grape variety

Nebbiolo

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$28-40 USD

Tasting profile

Bright red cherry, cranberry, rose, violets, gentle earthiness, subtle spice (licorice, anise), firm but resolved tannins, savory mineral finish.

Evolution: With age, notes of dried flowers, tobacco, and forest floor appear, fruit softens, tannins mellow, more tertiary character develops.

At peak: While youthful for its category initially, by 2024 tertiary nuance is emerging; ideal balance of mature fruit and earthy Nebbiolo complexity.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-High

Tannins

Medium

Alcohol

13-14% ABV

Aging potential

Moderate—best enjoyed within 6-8 years of vintage but holds well thanks to structure and producer quality

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2020 to 2023

Optimal window

2019 to 2024

Current status

Mature, at peak or just past peak for its style

Current condition

At or just past its peak; expected to remain enjoyable if well cellared through 2025.

2017 was a warm but balanced vintage in Langhe; Cavallotto, a top traditional producer, crafts even their Langhe Nebbiolo for moderate cellaring. As a Langhe DOC rather than Barolo/Barbaresco, drinking window is shorter (typically up to 8 years) even from excellent producers. 2017 is now mature, bringing out both fruit and secondary notes with full integration.

Food pairing

Wild mushroom risotto, grilled lamb chops, veal Milanese, truffle pasta, mature cheeses (Toma, Parmigiano Reggiano), game birds, braised short ribs.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (30-45 minutes) — Opens up aromatics and softens any remaining tannins; helps integrate tertiary notes.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Estate vineyards farmed organically since 1970s; manual harvest, cover cropping, low-input viticulture, minimal pesticide/fungicide use, emphasis on biodiversity, native yeast fermentation, limited SO2, cork recycling.

Cavallotto is one of the most sustainability-minded traditional Barolo producers, with certified organic vineyards for decades and environmentally sensitive practices. All vineyard work, soil management, and pest control are handled organically without chemical inputs. Wine is estate grown, produced, and bottled, reducing transport emissions. No overt eco-packaging initiatives. Import carbon cost is moderate for consumers outside of Italy/EU. Cavallotto’s commitment outpaces most traditional producers in the area, making its sustainability score noticeably high among premium Piedmontese estates.