2002 Renato Ratti, Ochetti, Nebbiolo D'Alba

[TheEngineer]

Every time I open up one of these I'm just happy. Maybe it's because I grew up in an Italian neighbourhood (but I never tasted anything like this when I was 5 years old), maybe its because I know I saved a lot of money not buying a barolo.

Its a very nice, balanced red with scents of cherry and wood. Good structure but still a bit light on its feet. Medium body and just elegant. All for $18.99. Not cheap, not Barolo. A nebbiolo that thinks its more than that. Kinda like buying a 2003 Riesling Kabinett and knowing that you are getting at least Spatlese if not Auslese.

Wonderful.

[Thomas]

Some of those varietal Nebbioli are truly good bargains. Looks like you have one of them.

[TheEngineer]

Yeap! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

I don't know what it is, but some wines just make me happy when they are in my hand. This is one of them. Another one was the 2002 Cave Spring Riesling (at the opposite end of the spectrum).

You just sit there and smile that stupid smile and breath a little slower. For a moment, the world is alright.