2008 Proprieta Sperino, Lessona

The 2008 Lessona is a serious, serious wine endowed with superb depth and textural richness. Today the tannins are a bit firm, and the wine is, of course, very young, but there is no denying the sheer finesse and pedigree of what is in the glass. Juicy dark cherries, plums, graphite, mint and sweet herbs flesh out beautifully as the 2008 continues to open up. This is a dazzling effort from the De Marchis and Proprieta Sperino. I can’t wait to see how the 2008 ages. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2028.
-Antonio Galloni, Oct 2012

Robert Parker''s Wine Advocate 31/10/2011

The 2008 Uvaggio is predominantly Nebbiolo with some Vespolina and Croatina, a very typical blend in this part of Piedmont. The wine shows gorgeous textural depth without abandoning its roots. Sweet dark cherries, mint, rosemary and tobacco are some of the notes that take shape in the glass. This gorgeous, medium-bodied red is a great introduction to the wines of northern Piedmont because it is flat-out delicious and not at all eccentric, as some of the wines can be for those who are approaching these appellations for the first time. The Uvaggio is best enjoyed in its youth, while the fruit retains is juiciness, but there is also enough stuffing to allow the wine to age for a number of years. Menthol, sweet herbs and crushed flowers linger on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.

Paolo De Marchi is best known for the wines he makes at Isole e Olena, but he is originally from Piedmont. In recent years De Marchi and his son Luca have been making huge efforts to put the wines from their family’s estate back on the map. I have been following Proprieta Sperino for some time. These are the first wines that are truly convincing, in fact they are stellar.

Various American importers, including: Petit Pois, Merion, PA; tel. (856) 608-9644; Carolina Wine Company, Norwood, MA; tel. (781) 278-2000; Giuliana Imports, Boulder, CO; tel. (303) 449-5477; The Country Vintner, Louisa, VA; tel. (804) 784-2886; Grape Expectation Inc., Richmond, CA; tel. (510) 412-5969; Bommarito Wines, Saint Louis, MO; tel. (314) 961-8996; Connoisseur Wines, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 561-8705

()