Nebbiolo Cellaring Guide
Nebbiolo is the King of Italian grapes.
Our JOSEPH Nebbiolo is crafted to be enjoyed upon release but will continue to evolve beautifully with age.
In early December 2024, I tasted a selection of this wine and gave my top recommendations for the best times to enjoy each vintage.
Use this guide to determine the best time to drink our Nebbiolo!
- Joe Grilli, Owner & Winemaker
2022 – A intense fragrance of rose, spice, and violet. On the palate, it gives Turkish delight flavours with a long, dry finish. Wonderful with hearty stews and roasts.
2021 – Pour this vintage into the biggest glass you have, glance at that brick red and orange/yellow colour that only Nebbiolo has then let the delicate florals and Turkish delight seduce you! The palate is all savoury and umami carried by long and fine acidity. Deceptively silky now, the tannins will come out in another 4 years or so.
As I have so often said – it is wines like this that convert wine lovers to Nebbiolo. There is no going back!
2018 – We love how in good Nebbiolo there is an interplay between the delicate floral aspects of the grape and its tarry, more brooding side. Coming up to seven years of age the 2018 opens with pure tar with dried flowers in the background and a lovely acid and dry tannin backbone running all the way through.
A thoroughly intriguing wine now but this is a wine worth pushing the envelope for if you have room in your cellar.
It will be a symphony if you can keep it to 2032!
2016 – I often say that the drinking window for JOSEPH Nebbiolo is 8 to 12 years. Well done if you’ve kept the 2016 till now.
At almost 9 years of age it is showing some beautiful spicy bottle age characters which carry through onto the palate. Potpourri, dried herbs and a hint of mushroom stock all held together with just the right amount of lively acidity.
Thoroughly enjoyable now and over the next 5 years and beyond. Open a bottle with your favourite veal dish.
2013 - If you’ve been holding on to this wine, you weren’t wrong! Beautiful colour with potpourri and orange rind aromas and a moody cherry character it has fantastic length. Enjoy it now with a meat dish that is rich and fatty (not gamey) like slow cooked beef short rib.