Nebbiolo 'Maura Nen' Luca Leggero 2021

Nebbiolo Canavese 'Maura Nen' is themost prestigious and representative label of Luca Leggero, a Piedmontese wine producer established in the Canavese area, particularly in the Villareggia hills. This label is produced from Picotener, or Picotendro, a Nebbiolo clone widespread in Valle d'Aosta and Canavese, territories where it provides wines that tend to be fresher and lighter than their Lower Piedmont counterparts. The name Picotener originates from a dialect expression that translates as 'small and tender', to emphasise the appearance and consistency of the berries. Instead, the appellation 'Maura Nen' comes from the local dialect and means 'unripe', a reference both to the sandy soils of morainic origin on which the grapes grow and to the history of the winery itself.

Luca Leggero 'Maura Nen' Canavese Nebbiolo is a 100% Picotener from vines grown according to organic farming principles on morainic soils rich in sand. Following the harvest, the bunches are transferred to the cellar, where red vinification takes place with alcoholic fermentation in contact with the skins in truncated conical wooden vats, all at a controlled temperature to preserve the aromas of the must. This is followed by ageing for 10 months in large 25- and 50-hectoliter Austrian oak casks and 750-litre amphorae, with final release taking place no earlier than a further 12 months of bottle ageing.

Luca Leggero's Canavese Nebbiolo 'Maura Nen' has a soft ruby red colour with garnet highlights. The aromatic profile is defined by floral and fruity hints of rose, violet, plum and cherry, associated with complex spicy hints reminiscent of vanilla, nutmeg and pepper. The initial austerity on the palate given by the freshness and intense but integrated tannins then merges with the persuasive softness, in a progression of long persistence.