Luminous red. Very floral, penetrating aromas and flavours of violet, rose, red cherry, redcurrant and raspberry, complemented by hints of cinnamon and white pepper. The winery keeps the fermentation temperature on the low side (below 25 degrees Celsius) so as to increase the aromatic pungency of the finished wine; the wine’s name “speziale” refers to spezie, the Italian word for “spices”, an apt name given the aromatic nature of Pelaverga Piccolo and its wine (it’s also the name of the Alessandria family’s pretty country resort I heartily endorse you stay in during your next vacation to Barolo-land). The family farms roughly 3.3 hectares of vines planted to Pelaverga Piccolo clones CVT C1, CVT 212 and CVT 223 beginning in 1971 and proceeding through 2021. The vines are located in the Verduno territory’s crus of Riva Rocca (facing south and east at 270-320 meters in altitude); Campasso (facing eastwards, planted at 250-350 meters of altitude); Boscatto (facing eastwards also at 250-350 meters above sea level); and Neirane (with a western exposure, planted at 330-400 meters in altitude). Other vines are planted in Sotto Orti (facing westwards at 270-310 meters in altitude), and Galleria (looking out to the west, at about 250-280 meters above sea level). The winery makes about 26,000 bottles/year of Verduno Pelaverga, all stainless steel fermented and aged. Drinking window: 2025-2032.

Critic Name: Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, July 2024

Critic Score:94 POINTS