At a glance

Producer

Francesco Brigatti

Region

Colline Novaresi DOC, Piedmont, Italy

Grape variety

Nebbiolo (locally called Spanna)

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$22-28

Tasting profile

Vivid red cherry, wild strawberry, rose petal, dried herbs. Touches of spice and earthy minerality. Floral, delicate aromatics typical of Alto Piemonte Nebbiolo.

Evolution: Will develop more savory, truffle, and dried flower notes; tannins soften, palate rounds with a silky profile.

At peak: At peak, expect a graceful, aromatic wine with subtle forest floor, spice, and soft red fruit. Retains freshness and structure.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-high, lending freshness and longevity

Tannins

Medium with youthful grip, classic for Nebbiolo from Alto Piemonte

Alcohol

13% ABV (typical for region and style)

Aging potential

This wine should age gracefully ~8-10 years from vintage in good cellaring conditions, though it's best enjoyed between 2024-2028.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2024 to 2028

Optimal window

2023 to 2030

Current status

Can be enjoyed now, will improve with short-term cellaring

Current condition

Youthfully energetic, showing primary fruit and fresh acidity, starting to integrate tannin

Colline Novaresi Nebbiolo is built for modest aging: good tannin and acidity for structure, but less extract than Barolo/Barbaresco, making it best enjoyed within ~8-10 years of vintage. 2020 is a ripe, balanced vintage for Alto Piemonte, lending additional approachability and slightly longer potential than average.

Food pairing

Ideal with mushroom risotto, roast poultry, pork tenderloin, veal Milanese, truffle pasta, alpine cheeses (Toma, Taleggio). Also excellent with grilled lamb, mushroom pizza, or polenta dishes.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (30-60 minutes) — Recommended to help soften tannins and open up subtle aromatics, especially if enjoyed within first 3-5 years after release.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Francesco Brigatti farms with reduced chemical inputs, focus on biodiversity (cover crops, native grass), low-intervention fermentation (indigenous yeasts), manual harvesting. Minimal use of SO2, no synthetic pesticides. Winery aims to recycle water and reduce energy use; small family estate with low-impact operations.

Brigatti is well respected in Alto Piemonte for hands-on, low-intervention viticulture and careful environmental stewardship. While not certified organic, the estate embraces traditional, near-organic methods (no herbicides, minimal sprays, manual labor). Their use of lightweight bottles, local sales, and biodiversity efforts further enhance sustainability. Small scale limits industrial emissions; lack of formal green certification drops score from 9-10.