Principiano Barolo Boscareto 2006

The cellar is in Monforte zone of Barolo. Monforte is also a an old-world charming small town you should visit; it is much different than the shaking and moving of La Morra. A total of 21 hectares of vineyards are located in Monforte and Serralunga, with a smattering in Alta Langa. The far southeast part of Barolo is an area off the beaten path (for Barolo at least). Instead of dusty vine row after vine row, there are woods and birds between the vineyards, and Ferdinando has created what looks like an extra-large Koi pond for migratory birds. Walk the vineyards for an ad hoc botanical tour of fruit trees that Ferdinando has planted over the year. The smell of grapes amid apples, pears, apricots, peaches, cherries, persimmons, almonds, figs, prunes, and apple and pear quince hint at the complex biodiversity here. On one of my recent visits, a vineyard worker was taking a break in the shade, and plucked a plum to eat. All of which reminds me: Nebbiolo isn’t only tar and roses (though I love that rock band as much as you), it is about cool fruits, plums from the icebox, come to mind, and so does unapologetic deliciousness.