At a glance

Producer

Figli Luigi Oddero

Region

Langhe, Piedmont, Italy

Grape variety

Nebbiolo

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$25-$35 USD

Tasting profile

Red cherry, wild strawberry, rose petal, hints of tar and spice. Crisp, lively palate with refined tannins and clear minerality.

Evolution: Will gain notes of dried earth, tobacco, and subtle leather with further aging.

At peak: At peak, expect layered fruit, balanced savory notes, and a silky, integrated structure.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-high

Tannins

Medium (+), fine-grained

Alcohol

13.5% ABV (typical for the style)

Aging potential

Moderate; can age 8-10 years from vintage in good cellar conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2023 to 2026

Optimal window

2022 to 2028

Current status

Maturing; Approachable but can develop further

Current condition

Fresh, with youthful character and developing secondary notes

2018 is a classic vintage in Langhe, with balance and precision but not excessive ripeness. The estate style favors finesse over power. This Nebbiolo, though drinkable young, offers its most complex bouquet and tertiary notes after 4-8 years. Beyond this, the vibrant fruit will start to fade. It's crafted for medium-term aging, with enough structure for development, but not intended for the multi-decade cellaring of top Barolo/Barbaresco.

Food pairing

Best with dishes featuring mushroom, truffle, fresh pasta (tajarin, agnolotti), roasted poultry, pork with herbs, or semi-aged cheeses like Taleggio or Fontina.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (30-40 minutes) — Opens up aromatic complexity and softens youthful tannins; reduces any bottle funk

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Estate uses integrated pest management, judicious chemical interventions, manual harvest, and practices grassing between vine rows. Some solar utilization for cellar operations. Focus on local workforce and lightweight glass bottles.

Figli Luigi Oddero is a small family estate known for attentive vineyard management and minimal synthetic chemical use, although without formal certifications. Their approach prioritizes biodiversity, careful resource use, and traditional methods (hand-harvesting, gravity flow). Some investments in solar and energy efficiency are present. Without organic/biodynamic certification and with international distribution (raising transport emissions), the overall footprint is moderate, but well above average for a winery of this scale and style.