Clendenen Family Vineyards Nebbiolo The Pip

I get why we HAVE Nebbiolo in California; I just don't get why we NEED Nebbiolo in California. That said, this is charming. Ripe black cherries, green tobacco, cedar, black pepper and, at 8, a hint of umami on the nose. Almost soy sauce, though not the infamous "hoisin" note that signals Nebbiolo in decline. Medium + intensity of aromas. The palate is a good 50/50 split between primary and non-fruit flavors. It shows ripe black cherries, ripe raspberries, crushed …

Dry, floral, and full of cranberry and lemon. High level of acidity for a great food wine. Tastes more like Santa Barbara County than Italy, but that makes sense!

Floral and berry notes on the nose, high acid, fine tannin and super bright on the palate, sharp, bright cherry, pomegranate, cranberry and mineral flavors, slightly more weight on the body than a Piedmont version, really unique and food-friendly, was lovely with supreme pizza special

From 1.63-acre section of Bien Nacido vineyard and aged for 4 years in oak. Interesting but not entirely successful at this stage in its life. Attractive nose, but I think we're in the when is the sweet spot for Nebbiolo drinking window dilemma. Not yet based on this showing. Far less attractive than the 2021 Clenden Grenache Gris at the same meal (see note).

Really impressed- great Nebbiolo characteristics but with an unfamiliar interesting terroir note. The only Nebbiolo I’ve tried from outside northern italy that feels like a true expression of the grape. I will need to try more from this producer. Crunchy red fruits, lively acidity, toothsome tannins. Remarkably like 2018 barbaresco in terms of the fineness of the tannins and litheness of body. Would be very interesting to try again with 5 more years bottle aging. Feels like the winery treated …