Vallana - Boca 2017 (750ml)
Vallana Description
“Intense traditionally-made wines that ooze with character.”—Robert Parker
“Vallana creates Spanna with extraordinary life spans, their breeding, substance and longevity showing no compromise whatever with conceptions of mass consumerism.” – Burton Anderson
As the Vallana family explains, Spanna, the local name for Nebbiolo, is a grape of terroir. While the Langhe showcases a beautiful expression, especially in the Barolo and Barbaresco regions, no list is complete without the wines of Alto Piemonte. Here, at the base of the Alps, at the foot of Monte Rosa, where the Mediterranean and Continental climates meet, Alto Piemonte takes on a charming and highly aromatic character. Alto Piemonte has acidic soils, rather than the alkaline soils of the Langhe, giving the wine its acid backbone and ultimately the structure and character that adds to the age ability. These vineyard sites are on gently sloping terraces along the left bank of the river Sesia and Lake Maggiore. Vallana owns vineyard sites within Colline Novaresi including the 2 important crus of Boca and Gattinara.
The classical labels that adorn Vallana’s bottles represent the family’s connection to the past, as well as their deep roots in the wine world. The estate as we know it today was formed in 1937, but the Vallana name was synonymous with great wine as early as the 18th century. Vallana is situated in the village of Maggiora in the Alto Piemonte, more than 100 miles north of Barolo. Today, the estate is run by Giuseppina Vallana, together with her son Francis (a Ph.D. in Viticulture and Oenology), and her daughters Marina and Miriam.
A blend of Nebbiolo (65%), Vespolina (20%) and Uva Rara (15%)
Nebbiolo confers the structure and the aromatic background; Vespolina adds a fresh, floral quality, and Uva Rara brings a round, silky texture
Each variety is harvested and fermented separately
Fermentation in cement vats with aggressive pump overs
Wines are blended aged in 10 HL casks for two years
Boca must age at least 4 years before release and Vallana goes further to age their wines longer, seeking the optimal time to release their wine
Boca is a hidden jewel! If Gattinara is the King, Boca is the Queen. The best words to describe this wine are elegant, finessed and delicate. This is a true example that beauty in youth and elegance in age are not mutually exclusive. The Boca appellation is located near Ghemme and Gattinara in the Alto Piemonte.
