Principiano, Ferdinando
May 2025
We started off this years visit with Ferdinando Principiano, though Ferdinando was not around so we were guided by his very capable daughter laura. As you might know, Ferdinando was a disciple of Scavino back in the day. My experience with his wines mostly comes after his renaissance, a little more than a decade ago, when Ferdinando decided that he wanted to make wines that spoke more of their origins, rather than their winemaking.
The results have been nothing short of astonishing. While these wines are not for everyone, they tend to be lighter bodied, more fragrant than intense, yet totally revelatory in their transparency and ease of drinking. I do love them, and feel that they are a vital component of the Piedmontese wine spectrum. It is a bit early to gauge how well Ferdianando’s wine will age, a decade is just a drop in the bucket in these parts, but early indications are very promising. Of course not all of Ferdinando”s wines are meant to age, and those that are to be enjoyed in their youth offer a crystal clear impression of the style and character of these wines. I urge you all to try them for yourself!
2020 Ferdinando Principiano Alta Langa
60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 36 months on lees, vines in Serravalle 750 meters asl
Very perfumed, lightly autolytic, lots of bruised pear and polleny dried flowers, nice salty/chalky base notes. Fine mousse, more apple flavors, cider apples, early on the palate then this is super tense, dry, and the salinity emerges pairing with the fresh fruit that even shows a hint of unripe strawberry, Very transparent wine with great tension and transparency. Refreshing and mouthwatering. Has sneaky length to the delicate yet fresh fruit with a suggestion of citron peel retronasally. 92pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Bianco Timorasso 11.5%
Serravalle langhe
30% aged big barrels for one year
Heathery and dried grassy on the nose, maybe a hint of dried lime zest, and a hazelnut or two. Broad, remarkably soft for a wine of this alcohol, broad with a modest yet palpable richness to it, nice finish is very strong with again good persistence of soft white fruits, has a wash of tannin across the palate, another sneaky wine, gains a nuance of lemon freshness, gains more interest as it warms gently, this is lovely and interesting. 91pts
2023 Ferdinando Principiano Dolcetto d’Alba 12%
10 months in steel , 2000 bottles per year
Vines in Monforte in front of Trattoria della posta.
Wow, explosively aromatic, very floral, plum skin. Very bright and again very aromatic in the mouth, there are some firm, little tannins that are dry. This is a sheen of a wine, delicate yet detailed, a guzzler, but at the same time complex and nuanced. Acidity is bright but well measured. Palate cleansing, 91pts
2023 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Rosso
Slarina, typically in Monferratto, very low yield, grapes are similar to nebbiolo, comes from Cenerina with the grey gloss like nebbiolo, Cenarina is a grape from Alessandria Planted in Serravallle, ten months in steel, 5000 bottles year
More delicate color than the 2022, Gorgeous floral, sweet purple flower aromas, a hint of green peppercorn, face powder, blue and black berry fruit. Very light on the palate, silicate, another sheen of a wine, clear and fresh and brisk with good tension through the citrus finish, juicy with a hint of foxiness, 90pts
2023 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Freisa 12%
6 months n big barrels, slavonia oak, third vintage,
Woodsy, pink peppercorns, wild berry fruit, has a subtle watermelon undertone to the fruit, a little loamy soil, a touch of cigar ash, Light, broad, and tannic, definitely has some chew to it, drags dryness across the palate, broad shouldered wine, quite tannic, acidity is offering good balance to the fruit and structure. Mulberry fruit. 89pts
2023 Ferdinando Principiano Barbera d’Alba 13.5%
Probably 100 year old vines or a little more
10 months in stainless
Plum, ivy, almond, and black cherry. Stunning wine on entry, there’s a sweetness to this fruit, very exciting Barbera, long, so fresh, such cutting energy, the acids are so well balanced by the fruit, such pinpoint ripeness, absolutely perfect wine for what it is. Textbook Barbera. 94pts
2023 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Nebbiolo 13%
This used to be Barolo Le Coste, but now only nebbiolo
In Monforte, 80% in montagliate, 20% from le coste
10 months in ss
Woodlands, menthol, icy cool, very balsamic, floral undertones, watermelon, Again a notable layer of fruitiness on entry, almost a hint of luxurious richness, then the tannins emerge on the palate important but very ripe, dips off a bit on the finish before the fruit gently emerges again on the modest finish, delicious, eminently drinkable, very nebbiolo but with a hint less vibrancy. 89pts
2021 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga 13.5%
Boscaretto and Lirano
2 years in big barrels
Smoky, tarry, incipient truffle notes, lots of dark cherry fruit, medicinal, mineral and pine nuts, dark clay, blue clay soil. Big on entry, superb balance, it’s modestly rich, a little chewy, packed with fresh fruit, so zesty on the palate, limestone freshness across the palate, succulent minerality, long, the fruit shows a hint of confit of wild berry fruit, the tannins are gorgeous, firm but ripe, tarry and deep up front, then rather lithe and lively throughout he moderately long finish, classic wine. 93pts
2021 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Rivera
Monforte. From 1934,
Great aromatic intensity, sage, wild herbs, clay, a hint of cocoa, slightly jammy and plummy fruit, very complex and nuanced fruit on entry, lovely ripe fruit, cedar notes, clay, blue clay, floral base notes, very complex with great inner mouth perfumes and a vivid, vibrant and long finish. Juicy with tannins that are almost not noticeable. Lovely wine with detail, nuance and transparency, 93pts
2020 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Boscareto
Ferments with the stems, foot tread,
Mineral and black tea notes, very mineral soil driven , smells cool, a tannic, stony, blue floral palate, this is truly classic long, savory and fruity, with great persistence, more of an intellectual wine, this is subtle but with immense savory character backing up the fruit, love this. Absolutely exemplifies tradition Barolo, with energy that lingers on the palate. 94pts
April 2024
2019 Ferdinando Principiano Alta Langa
Disgorged May 2023
Serravalle Langhe 750m
60 PN/40 Chardonnay
Very floral, perfumey, a bit of pear fruit on the nose, dusty talcy note with a hint of almond brioche, Fine mousse, nice firm texture, mineral base, a bit short, with sneaky length, clear very resonant on the palate, easy to drink, dry and refreshing, a little straw, strawberry, and cider apple on the palate, playful and precise.
Actually has a long mineral finish, quite nuanced and attractive in its lean, bare bones way. 89pts
2021 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Bianco
Timorasso
Half in botte half in ss for aging
Smoky, dusty forest floor, dried grasses, cured pork fat, fairly intense and complex, blanched almond, pollen white flowers, tight, very energetic, very mineral, tremendous transparency, so much energy, delicious, tense and crisp, good acid drives the tart apple flavors, absolutely ripples with echoes on the finish, has a hint of rubber band to the aromatics, a hint of unripe pineapple, just terrific wine with cut and drive. 93pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Rosso
Slarina
Ink, blue flowers, spicy along the lines of friesa, fairly tannic in the mouth, even if its light weight and fresh. Edgy, nervous little wine, balsamic and floral in the mouth with a nice blue slate minerality on the backend and through the dusty finish. A bit of dark cherry fruit, dark berry, jujube fruit on the palate and throughout he fairly long if simple and clean finish. Transparent, 87pts
2023 Ferdinando Principiano Dusset 11%
So perfumed, very floral, a bit of underlying spice, very purple on the nose, joyful to smell, smells like spring/summer in a glass. Lightly jammy tone to the lightly peppery plum fruit. Juicy, almost sweet on entry, transparent with whispers of jammy fruit that dances across the palate. Juicy, clean and fresh, with a modest finish. This is more about the perfumes and the freshness, chill it and serve it with grilled trout. Astringent red berry fruit on the palate, strawberry toned. The stickiness of the fruit increases on the finish, lending it some more length. 88pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Dolcetto d’Alba
Handfuls of fresh picked plants, lots of soil, touch of white pepper, hint of African violet, A bit of richness greets the palate with a fine edge of sweetness, lovely wine, suave and playful with a nice core of tiny, edgy, compact tannins, plummy purple fruit on the palate, is followed by salty minerality, and a slightly balsamic tone, the tannins reveal their drying core on the moderately long finish, More a trattoria than an Osteria dolcetto. 88pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Barbera d’Alba
Downright woodland spiced, dried leaves, plum skin, a bit reductive but that blows off, a bit restrained and strict, though with good aromatic intensity, Tense and transparent on the palate, so much energy here, freshness and drive. Nice black cherry skin and plum skin fruit which show excellent intensity on the midpalate and through the finish with its razor edged character. Delicious wine.91pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Freisa
Aged in botte, one botte, six months
Savory, sandalwood, ginseng, a hint of a cinnamon top note with fruity aromas that are slightly towards the cooked vegetable end of the spectrum. Moderately rich on entry, tense, taut on the palate and mineral laced, almost salty on the palate. Nice herbal accents creeping in on the edge of the palate, bay leaf and wild thyme, with a hint of green peppercorn emerging on the backend and lacing through the moderately long finish with rustic tannins, a wine with an intense personality, probably a divisive wine but it’s complex and sort of stands out due to its rusticity. 90pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Nebbiolo
Tight, a bit reduced, gentle layered nose, wild berry fruits, pine forest ground cover, that leans toward balsamic, a touch of blue fruit, So fresh in the mouth, tense, pinpoint tannins, lovely wine that has freshness, fruit, and energy. Flavors are precise and layered, on the earthy side, but with a lovely purity to the wild strawberry, and red currant flavors, clean and fresh with great energy on the finish, finish is long and focused, still needs another 12-18 months to integrate, but this is well balanced and complete. Cool balsamic notes 91pts
2020 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga
Shows slightly evolved, some forest floor and mushroom gracing the nose with its core of licorice, dark fruit, carob, and tamarind pulp. Bright, quite lean and driven on the palate, white cherry fruit, muscular in the ballerina way, quite complex and fairly explosive on the palate. Lots of acid drive, lots of licorice here, tannins are ripe but densely packed, has a cocoa tinge on the finale with incipient citrus peel notes emerging the finale. A bit raw. 89pts
2020 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Ravera di Monforte
All herbal extracts, balsamic, floral extracts, dark fruit, gorgeously complex with a blend of fruitiness and savoriness, with an over arching sweetness to it, so much more sweetness and texture here, though still with fine juicy acidity, terrific depth on the palate, nuance to match the nose, wild cherry and balsamic character really dominate the palate, red and white cherry fruit, the finish has great drive and lift with citrus acids. Just terrific blend of fruit and complexity. 94pts
2019 Ferdinando Principiano Boscaretto
100% whole bunch, foot tread,
Another gear here, there’s so much fruit on the nose, white flowers, dandelion greens, a fine herbal streak pierces the fruit on the nose, framed with intense wild flower notes, Broad in the mouth, tart red cherry fruit, super classic Barolo, tense, dry tannins, are powerful, but well balanced broad shouldered and narrow waisted, with athletic legs, definitely an older styled wine, tarry finale, lots of dried spice notes, A classic that demands time, give it 5-7 years then take a peak, it’s got the tannins to last and plenty of fruit 93pts
We started off this years visit with Ferdinando Principiano, though Ferdinando was not around so we were guided by his very capable daughter laura. As you might know, Ferdinando was a disciple of Scavino back in the day. My experience with his wines mostly comes after his renaissance, a little more than a decade ago, when Ferdinando decided that he wanted to make wines that spoke more of their origins, rather than their winemaking.
The results have been nothing short of astonishing. While these wines are not for everyone, they tend to be lighter bodied, more fragrant than intense, yet totally revelatory in their transparency and ease of drinking. I do love them, and feel that they are a vital component of the Piedmontese wine spectrum. It is a bit early to gauge how well Ferdianando’s wine will age, a decade is just a drop in the bucket in these parts, but early indications are very promising. Of course not all of Ferdinando”s wines are meant to age, and those that are to be enjoyed in their youth offer a crystal clear impression of the style and character of these wines. I urge you all to try them for yourself!
2020 Ferdinando Principiano Alta Langa
60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 36 months on lees, vines in Serravalle 750 meters asl
Very perfumed, lightly autolytic, lots of bruised pear and polleny dried flowers, nice salty/chalky base notes. Fine mousse, more apple flavors, cider apples, early on the palate then this is super tense, dry, and the salinity emerges pairing with the fresh fruit that even shows a hint of unripe strawberry, Very transparent wine with great tension and transparency. Refreshing and mouthwatering. Has sneaky length to the delicate yet fresh fruit with a suggestion of citron peel retronasally. 92pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Bianco Timorasso 11.5%
Serravalle langhe
30% aged big barrels for one year
Heathery and dried grassy on the nose, maybe a hint of dried lime zest, and a hazelnut or two. Broad, remarkably soft for a wine of this alcohol, broad with a modest yet palpable richness to it, nice finish is very strong with again good persistence of soft white fruits, has a wash of tannin across the palate, another sneaky wine, gains a nuance of lemon freshness, gains more interest as it warms gently, this is lovely and interesting. 91pts
2023 Ferdinando Principiano Dolcetto d’Alba 12%
10 months in steel , 2000 bottles per year
Vines in Monforte in front of Trattoria della posta.
Wow, explosively aromatic, very floral, plum skin. Very bright and again very aromatic in the mouth, there are some firm, little tannins that are dry. This is a sheen of a wine, delicate yet detailed, a guzzler, but at the same time complex and nuanced. Acidity is bright but well measured. Palate cleansing, 91pts
2023 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Rosso
Slarina, typically in Monferratto, very low yield, grapes are similar to nebbiolo, comes from Cenerina with the grey gloss like nebbiolo, Cenarina is a grape from Alessandria Planted in Serravallle, ten months in steel, 5000 bottles year
More delicate color than the 2022, Gorgeous floral, sweet purple flower aromas, a hint of green peppercorn, face powder, blue and black berry fruit. Very light on the palate, silicate, another sheen of a wine, clear and fresh and brisk with good tension through the citrus finish, juicy with a hint of foxiness, 90pts
2023 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Freisa 12%
6 months n big barrels, slavonia oak, third vintage,
Woodsy, pink peppercorns, wild berry fruit, has a subtle watermelon undertone to the fruit, a little loamy soil, a touch of cigar ash, Light, broad, and tannic, definitely has some chew to it, drags dryness across the palate, broad shouldered wine, quite tannic, acidity is offering good balance to the fruit and structure. Mulberry fruit. 89pts
2023 Ferdinando Principiano Barbera d’Alba 13.5%
Probably 100 year old vines or a little more
10 months in stainless
Plum, ivy, almond, and black cherry. Stunning wine on entry, there’s a sweetness to this fruit, very exciting Barbera, long, so fresh, such cutting energy, the acids are so well balanced by the fruit, such pinpoint ripeness, absolutely perfect wine for what it is. Textbook Barbera. 94pts
2023 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Nebbiolo 13%
This used to be Barolo Le Coste, but now only nebbiolo
In Monforte, 80% in montagliate, 20% from le coste
10 months in ss
Woodlands, menthol, icy cool, very balsamic, floral undertones, watermelon, Again a notable layer of fruitiness on entry, almost a hint of luxurious richness, then the tannins emerge on the palate important but very ripe, dips off a bit on the finish before the fruit gently emerges again on the modest finish, delicious, eminently drinkable, very nebbiolo but with a hint less vibrancy. 89pts
2021 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga 13.5%
Boscaretto and Lirano
2 years in big barrels
Smoky, tarry, incipient truffle notes, lots of dark cherry fruit, medicinal, mineral and pine nuts, dark clay, blue clay soil. Big on entry, superb balance, it’s modestly rich, a little chewy, packed with fresh fruit, so zesty on the palate, limestone freshness across the palate, succulent minerality, long, the fruit shows a hint of confit of wild berry fruit, the tannins are gorgeous, firm but ripe, tarry and deep up front, then rather lithe and lively throughout he moderately long finish, classic wine. 93pts
2021 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Rivera
Monforte. From 1934,
Great aromatic intensity, sage, wild herbs, clay, a hint of cocoa, slightly jammy and plummy fruit, very complex and nuanced fruit on entry, lovely ripe fruit, cedar notes, clay, blue clay, floral base notes, very complex with great inner mouth perfumes and a vivid, vibrant and long finish. Juicy with tannins that are almost not noticeable. Lovely wine with detail, nuance and transparency, 93pts
2020 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Boscareto
Ferments with the stems, foot tread,
Mineral and black tea notes, very mineral soil driven , smells cool, a tannic, stony, blue floral palate, this is truly classic long, savory and fruity, with great persistence, more of an intellectual wine, this is subtle but with immense savory character backing up the fruit, love this. Absolutely exemplifies tradition Barolo, with energy that lingers on the palate. 94pts
April 2024
2019 Ferdinando Principiano Alta Langa
Disgorged May 2023
Serravalle Langhe 750m
60 PN/40 Chardonnay
Very floral, perfumey, a bit of pear fruit on the nose, dusty talcy note with a hint of almond brioche, Fine mousse, nice firm texture, mineral base, a bit short, with sneaky length, clear very resonant on the palate, easy to drink, dry and refreshing, a little straw, strawberry, and cider apple on the palate, playful and precise.
Actually has a long mineral finish, quite nuanced and attractive in its lean, bare bones way. 89pts
2021 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Bianco
Timorasso
Half in botte half in ss for aging
Smoky, dusty forest floor, dried grasses, cured pork fat, fairly intense and complex, blanched almond, pollen white flowers, tight, very energetic, very mineral, tremendous transparency, so much energy, delicious, tense and crisp, good acid drives the tart apple flavors, absolutely ripples with echoes on the finish, has a hint of rubber band to the aromatics, a hint of unripe pineapple, just terrific wine with cut and drive. 93pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Rosso
Slarina
Ink, blue flowers, spicy along the lines of friesa, fairly tannic in the mouth, even if its light weight and fresh. Edgy, nervous little wine, balsamic and floral in the mouth with a nice blue slate minerality on the backend and through the dusty finish. A bit of dark cherry fruit, dark berry, jujube fruit on the palate and throughout he fairly long if simple and clean finish. Transparent, 87pts
2023 Ferdinando Principiano Dusset 11%
So perfumed, very floral, a bit of underlying spice, very purple on the nose, joyful to smell, smells like spring/summer in a glass. Lightly jammy tone to the lightly peppery plum fruit. Juicy, almost sweet on entry, transparent with whispers of jammy fruit that dances across the palate. Juicy, clean and fresh, with a modest finish. This is more about the perfumes and the freshness, chill it and serve it with grilled trout. Astringent red berry fruit on the palate, strawberry toned. The stickiness of the fruit increases on the finish, lending it some more length. 88pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Dolcetto d’Alba
Handfuls of fresh picked plants, lots of soil, touch of white pepper, hint of African violet, A bit of richness greets the palate with a fine edge of sweetness, lovely wine, suave and playful with a nice core of tiny, edgy, compact tannins, plummy purple fruit on the palate, is followed by salty minerality, and a slightly balsamic tone, the tannins reveal their drying core on the moderately long finish, More a trattoria than an Osteria dolcetto. 88pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Barbera d’Alba
Downright woodland spiced, dried leaves, plum skin, a bit reductive but that blows off, a bit restrained and strict, though with good aromatic intensity, Tense and transparent on the palate, so much energy here, freshness and drive. Nice black cherry skin and plum skin fruit which show excellent intensity on the midpalate and through the finish with its razor edged character. Delicious wine.91pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Freisa
Aged in botte, one botte, six months
Savory, sandalwood, ginseng, a hint of a cinnamon top note with fruity aromas that are slightly towards the cooked vegetable end of the spectrum. Moderately rich on entry, tense, taut on the palate and mineral laced, almost salty on the palate. Nice herbal accents creeping in on the edge of the palate, bay leaf and wild thyme, with a hint of green peppercorn emerging on the backend and lacing through the moderately long finish with rustic tannins, a wine with an intense personality, probably a divisive wine but it’s complex and sort of stands out due to its rusticity. 90pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Nebbiolo
Tight, a bit reduced, gentle layered nose, wild berry fruits, pine forest ground cover, that leans toward balsamic, a touch of blue fruit, So fresh in the mouth, tense, pinpoint tannins, lovely wine that has freshness, fruit, and energy. Flavors are precise and layered, on the earthy side, but with a lovely purity to the wild strawberry, and red currant flavors, clean and fresh with great energy on the finish, finish is long and focused, still needs another 12-18 months to integrate, but this is well balanced and complete. Cool balsamic notes 91pts
2020 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga
Shows slightly evolved, some forest floor and mushroom gracing the nose with its core of licorice, dark fruit, carob, and tamarind pulp. Bright, quite lean and driven on the palate, white cherry fruit, muscular in the ballerina way, quite complex and fairly explosive on the palate. Lots of acid drive, lots of licorice here, tannins are ripe but densely packed, has a cocoa tinge on the finale with incipient citrus peel notes emerging the finale. A bit raw. 89pts
2020 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Ravera di Monforte
All herbal extracts, balsamic, floral extracts, dark fruit, gorgeously complex with a blend of fruitiness and savoriness, with an over arching sweetness to it, so much more sweetness and texture here, though still with fine juicy acidity, terrific depth on the palate, nuance to match the nose, wild cherry and balsamic character really dominate the palate, red and white cherry fruit, the finish has great drive and lift with citrus acids. Just terrific blend of fruit and complexity. 94pts
2019 Ferdinando Principiano Boscaretto
100% whole bunch, foot tread,
Another gear here, there’s so much fruit on the nose, white flowers, dandelion greens, a fine herbal streak pierces the fruit on the nose, framed with intense wild flower notes, Broad in the mouth, tart red cherry fruit, super classic Barolo, tense, dry tannins, are powerful, but well balanced broad shouldered and narrow waisted, with athletic legs, definitely an older styled wine, tarry finale, lots of dried spice notes, A classic that demands time, give it 5-7 years then take a peak, it’s got the tannins to last and plenty of fruit 93pts
April 2023 visit
Principiano
Spumante
2022 the whole vintage with great balance, even if it was the most stressful vintages since he has started making wine. 2021 is a bit tighter but more Deep and complex than 2020
While everyone else had a 20-30 % reduction, he had a 10-15% increase in production
2018 Ferdinando Principiano Alta Langa Leonardo
60 pinot, 40 chard 30 months on the lees, lower pressure, creamier texture, dosage is wine reserve not sugar
Spicy, floral, has a gentle note of torrefaction, fairly leesy, bright, intense much more intense and rounder than the nose would suggest, moderately sweet, vinous, lots of citrus rind, with a nice finish that is tart, edgy, floral with dried hay on the long finish. As Ferdinando say a very gastronomic wine 88pts
2021 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Bianco Timorasso 13.2%
750 meters abs
From 2020 a part does wood, 50% bottle 15hl, Slavonian oak, other part in ss, keeps it an extra year in bottle, it typically need 3-4 years of bottle to show well, it was too tight, nervous, and crude otherwise.
Very perfumed, quince, yellow apple peel, has a touch of eraser, quite broad, juicy and bright with good acidity, lovely fruit angular and bright with salt and mineral, very acid driven, long, very fine balance between fruit and salt, in a lean very linear style. Need oysters. 90pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Dousset
Lovely very floral and fresh nose, a touch softer and riper than last year's edition. Lots of violet, raspberry, juicy with a bit of flesh and a tough lower acid than previous vintages, has more palate impact but perhaps less ethereal perfume in the mouth, fresh, juicy, easy drinking vinello. Great for what it is. 87pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Dolcetto Sant’Anna
Textbook Dolcetto aromatics. Almond, violet, spice, and plum fruit, Light, fresh pure transparent such perfect Dolcetto, there’s a little extra tannin that leads one think this came from a richer vintage but it is pretty perfect in the style, bright, long in this light style this is as good as Dolcetto gets. How does one score a wine like this? 92pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Rosso Slarina 11.5-125
Smells a little like Pelaverga, acid of barbera, elegance of Nebbiolo, only defect is produces little
Floral, lots of citrus, lime and blood orange, and then florals, a little Freisa like rustic tannin, juicy, blue fruits and floral notes in the mouth, dusty tannins, good length, fresh, rustic little wine with refined feel once past the rusticity of the tannins, needs fatty and perhaps peppery food. 88pts
2021 Ferdinando Principiano Barbera
20% 8 months in botte
Another textbook nose, all plummy accents, huge black cherry fruit, leather, coal, fabulous wine, vibrant, juicy with a thin layer of flesh, pure with stunning purity decent length but the intense acidity so typical of Barbera is paired with nearly perfect fruit weight and purity of fresh fruit flavors. 94pts
2021 Ferdinando Principiano Freisa
Sees a little wood, botte, used to be added to a bubbly which they discontinued so since 2020 bottles
A little less pump over to not extract the bitter tannins from the seeds that Freisa has.
Nicely fruity, fairly spicy, blue ink, blue flowers, lovely in the mouth, extract of flowers, blue fruit, a touch of leather then the tannins emerge, spicy, pink peppercorn, big flavors on the backend, impressive length, tannins that are well managed if present, super balance, round yet rustic, great example of Freisa. 92pts
2021 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Nebbiolo
Mostly Montagliato 80% 20% le costa, a vineyard from the 1970s, vinified separately due to harvest differences, 20-30% in botte, rest in ss, 3 weeks maceration
Balsamic, forest floor, bay leaf, hint of cocoa, dried porcini, Bright, juicy very vertical in the mouth, good energy, Fine grained tannins, very fine and elegant, so well balanced, this is another nearly perfect balance with fresh fruit, juicy lovely transparent red fruit, great acids, just more important than the tannins, long, Laser focused, its so easy to drink and just accept it for what it is but there is so much more nuance here than is first obvious and it is so well balanced and delivers such pleasure you should take note. 93pts
2019 2021 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo 13.5%
Around 1 month fermentation, then 2 years of botte, then one year in bottle
Serralunga
1h in Meriana, the remainder of the Boscareto cru that is not used for the cru, 6 h but 5h in production
Very balsamic, very woodsy, seashells, minty, so complex and interesting without being fruity, though fruit and furry animal notes emerge with air. Delicate on entry, totally of another era, savory, complex, delicate, fine tannins firm and dry but in harmony long, firm framework, so old school, elegant and really finely balanced, long focused style, 93pts
2019 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Ravera 13%
All wild herbs, Macchia, dried spices, exotic middle eastern spice notes fenugreek, hint of ginseng. So deep and vinous, a hint of mineral, deep, old viney, more of the vineyard and old vines than Nebbiolo, a little leathery, so powerful, chewy, good length but needs more time, fabulous wine broad shouldered, 94pts
2019 Ferdinando Principiano Boscaretto
100% with stems, foot tread
Fruity and effusively so, stone, a little pine needles, nuanced, wild berries, hint of root beer, lighter feel on the palate, lots of tannins deep, more inner mouth perfume, balsamic, and woodland spiced, rather firm tannins, lots of wild raspberry fruit, lingonberry on the backplate, then this turns more savory, very long, less elegant than the Serralunga, and lighter than the Rivera, but of almost the same quality, a bit of iron on the long, savory/fruity finish. 94pts
Principiano
Spumante
2022 the whole vintage with great balance, even if it was the most stressful vintages since he has started making wine. 2021 is a bit tighter but more Deep and complex than 2020
While everyone else had a 20-30 % reduction, he had a 10-15% increase in production
2018 Ferdinando Principiano Alta Langa Leonardo
60 pinot, 40 chard 30 months on the lees, lower pressure, creamier texture, dosage is wine reserve not sugar
Spicy, floral, has a gentle note of torrefaction, fairly leesy, bright, intense much more intense and rounder than the nose would suggest, moderately sweet, vinous, lots of citrus rind, with a nice finish that is tart, edgy, floral with dried hay on the long finish. As Ferdinando say a very gastronomic wine 88pts
2021 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Bianco Timorasso 13.2%
750 meters abs
From 2020 a part does wood, 50% bottle 15hl, Slavonian oak, other part in ss, keeps it an extra year in bottle, it typically need 3-4 years of bottle to show well, it was too tight, nervous, and crude otherwise.
Very perfumed, quince, yellow apple peel, has a touch of eraser, quite broad, juicy and bright with good acidity, lovely fruit angular and bright with salt and mineral, very acid driven, long, very fine balance between fruit and salt, in a lean very linear style. Need oysters. 90pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Dousset
Lovely very floral and fresh nose, a touch softer and riper than last year's edition. Lots of violet, raspberry, juicy with a bit of flesh and a tough lower acid than previous vintages, has more palate impact but perhaps less ethereal perfume in the mouth, fresh, juicy, easy drinking vinello. Great for what it is. 87pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Dolcetto Sant’Anna
Textbook Dolcetto aromatics. Almond, violet, spice, and plum fruit, Light, fresh pure transparent such perfect Dolcetto, there’s a little extra tannin that leads one think this came from a richer vintage but it is pretty perfect in the style, bright, long in this light style this is as good as Dolcetto gets. How does one score a wine like this? 92pts
2022 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Rosso Slarina 11.5-125
Smells a little like Pelaverga, acid of barbera, elegance of Nebbiolo, only defect is produces little
Floral, lots of citrus, lime and blood orange, and then florals, a little Freisa like rustic tannin, juicy, blue fruits and floral notes in the mouth, dusty tannins, good length, fresh, rustic little wine with refined feel once past the rusticity of the tannins, needs fatty and perhaps peppery food. 88pts
2021 Ferdinando Principiano Barbera
20% 8 months in botte
Another textbook nose, all plummy accents, huge black cherry fruit, leather, coal, fabulous wine, vibrant, juicy with a thin layer of flesh, pure with stunning purity decent length but the intense acidity so typical of Barbera is paired with nearly perfect fruit weight and purity of fresh fruit flavors. 94pts
2021 Ferdinando Principiano Freisa
Sees a little wood, botte, used to be added to a bubbly which they discontinued so since 2020 bottles
A little less pump over to not extract the bitter tannins from the seeds that Freisa has.
Nicely fruity, fairly spicy, blue ink, blue flowers, lovely in the mouth, extract of flowers, blue fruit, a touch of leather then the tannins emerge, spicy, pink peppercorn, big flavors on the backend, impressive length, tannins that are well managed if present, super balance, round yet rustic, great example of Freisa. 92pts
2021 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Nebbiolo
Mostly Montagliato 80% 20% le costa, a vineyard from the 1970s, vinified separately due to harvest differences, 20-30% in botte, rest in ss, 3 weeks maceration
Balsamic, forest floor, bay leaf, hint of cocoa, dried porcini, Bright, juicy very vertical in the mouth, good energy, Fine grained tannins, very fine and elegant, so well balanced, this is another nearly perfect balance with fresh fruit, juicy lovely transparent red fruit, great acids, just more important than the tannins, long, Laser focused, its so easy to drink and just accept it for what it is but there is so much more nuance here than is first obvious and it is so well balanced and delivers such pleasure you should take note. 93pts
2019 2021 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo 13.5%
Around 1 month fermentation, then 2 years of botte, then one year in bottle
Serralunga
1h in Meriana, the remainder of the Boscareto cru that is not used for the cru, 6 h but 5h in production
Very balsamic, very woodsy, seashells, minty, so complex and interesting without being fruity, though fruit and furry animal notes emerge with air. Delicate on entry, totally of another era, savory, complex, delicate, fine tannins firm and dry but in harmony long, firm framework, so old school, elegant and really finely balanced, long focused style, 93pts
2019 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Ravera 13%
All wild herbs, Macchia, dried spices, exotic middle eastern spice notes fenugreek, hint of ginseng. So deep and vinous, a hint of mineral, deep, old viney, more of the vineyard and old vines than Nebbiolo, a little leathery, so powerful, chewy, good length but needs more time, fabulous wine broad shouldered, 94pts
2019 Ferdinando Principiano Boscaretto
100% with stems, foot tread
Fruity and effusively so, stone, a little pine needles, nuanced, wild berries, hint of root beer, lighter feel on the palate, lots of tannins deep, more inner mouth perfume, balsamic, and woodland spiced, rather firm tannins, lots of wild raspberry fruit, lingonberry on the backplate, then this turns more savory, very long, less elegant than the Serralunga, and lighter than the Rivera, but of almost the same quality, a bit of iron on the long, savory/fruity finish. 94pts
If you are looking for passion in Piemonte you need not look any further. In making a 180 degree reversal from relatively modernist way, Ferdinando Principiano has not only embraced natural farming but has made it his life’s work to develop vineyards that live in harmony and ths give wines that are innately balanced. A famous winemaker asked my thoughts on Ferdinando’s wines a few years ago when I replied that his efforts in the vineyards were second to none, as they remain, but his wines still had a ways to go to join the top ranks of Barolo producers. With this current line-up I am forced to amend my opinion. The vineyard work here is spectacular, and now so are the wines. They feel natural, and sometimes taste or smell a bit natural, but with the complexity, elegance, and finesse of a top producer.
2016 there was no rain for about 45 days, all of August and September there was no rain, for the long maturation of nebbiolo it was a bit of a problem and prevented the vines from producing the maximum,
2014 Ferdinando Principiano Alta Langa
Still on lees, 30 months on less, 60 Pinot Nero, rest chard ten kilometers south of monforte same Helvetians, at 750 meters, 2014 second ferment with must, solo SS,
Lovely red fruit graces the nose, along with perfumes of wild flowers. Bright with high acids in the mouth supporting lovely deep citrusy fruit that shows a hint of strawberry on the palate, good length, lean, fine, and focused with a fine perlage. Bone dry and brilliant. 90pts
First vintage, bone dry, brilliant wine
2014 frost, 2k, 2015 hail 1k, 2016 full production 8k,
2016 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Bianco Timorasso 12%
Planted in same alta Langa region,
One month in bottle, not in sale yet,
Crushed with stems, to keep it fresh and the need for sulphur fermented with the stems, they are added back to the liquid, no malo, natural yeast ph 2.9-3, maybe 20% stems,
This is the first vintage where it really expresses what Ferdinando has been looking for, vertical, a finish with a sweetness of mature vines were planted in 2010
Very aromatic with distinctive lime, dried green tea aromas paired with limestone minerality. In the mouth one finds lovely richness with a lacy structure. This is mineral and rich with a hint of pear fruit sweetness in the mouth wrapped with juicy lime flavors and a lovely ripe dried herbal note that drives the finish. This really sits upright int he mouth, with good cut and excellent height. 90pts
2016 Ferdinando Principiano Dosset Vino Rosso 0.5%
Early harvest, two week before the usual harvest fro dolcetto Classico, 10.5% the classic interpretation of dolcetto, one week on skins, bottled first week of December, bottled without sulfite
Lovely perfumed nose perhaps more immediate than last year, with a hint of ink and musky violet undertones. Bright and juicy, a playful wine offering lovely fruit with a core of gentle sweet/tartness. Has a bit of tannin this year, tart lingonberry and almost red plum fruit. Eminently drinkable, short of course but fresh and juicy. 85pts
2016 Ferdinando Principiano Dolcetto d'Alba Sant'Anna. 12.5%
South of monforte in direction dogliani, 500m, 40yo, two weeks on skin, only SS, just bottled, used to bottle in August but now prefers to give it four months in the bottle before market, not filtered
Lipstick, waxiness greets the nose followed by very fruity aromas, but not the usual purple fruit, more woodland fruit with a hint of Monforte herbaceousness and a nice tree bark note. There's a sweetness here on the nose. In the mouth this is classic, bright, focused, juicy and fine, with considerable depth tot he wild blackberry flavors, real finesse and transparency for Dolcetto with fine mineral and savory woodland notes on the long finish. 92pts
2015 Nicolas Altare Dogliani 13.5%
Still has animals I be stalls, sotto briccolette di quinietti, in San Luigi but can't
60 yo always bio, 1000 bottles this first vintage, same vinificTion as his,
Big blackberry nose, floral, complex and nuanced, with plummy fruit in a dark and powerful style with an underlay of tariness. A bit chewy in the mouth and rich with sweet tannins and bright acids. Darkly fruity but fresh, if a bit flannely in the mouth. A bit chunky but with nice freshness on the backend and a modest finish. 86pts
2015 Ferdinando Principiano Barbera d'Alba Laura 13%
Serralunga and in Sant'Anna, two weeks on skins, 2016 is the last vintage for the serralunga fruit which has been repainted to nebbiolo , only inox, started harvest 28 August, finished 28 of september, 20 days early, after the first rain
Tight on the nose with subtle aromas of graphite, ivy, and dark plummy fruit. Supple in the mouth with just the thinnest blanket of fruit wrapped around fine grained tannins and juicy, vibrant acidity. This is long with real persistence to the pure fruit, with such detail and precision to the fruit. Not the most complex example of Barbera but it is near perfect for what I look for in Barbera: fresh yet dark on the palate, long and refreshing on the finish. Textbook Barbera. 93pts
2015 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Nebbiolo 13.5%
Monforte d'Alba Le Coste, 70% in Boscaretto only SS, the lowest boscaretto, Le Coste only SS
Gorgeously layered on the nose yet so subtle with aromas of wild strawberry in alcohol and sandalwood. Light bodied, but here as well there is a touch of weight, though perhaps not to its advantage. The tannins are so well knit, ripe, and rounded, there's a hint of spice here as well, some sandalwood, especially on the backend and through the finish which shows good length. A bit simple particularly on the finish which is a touch medicinal with a hint of stickiness. 87pts
2013 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga 13%
70% boscaretto rest in baudana and lirano leased
One month on skins, two years 20hl slavonian 10hl
A little stewy on the nose with with with ample stoney, balsamic, and medicinal accents over deep limestone aromas. There's terrific fruit here, and such lovely balance that this is approachable already. The tannins arrive late on the palate, deceptively fine and soft, emerging on the the fairly long finish. Mineral flecked in the mouth and subtly woodsy, with an incipient dried mushroom note embedded in silky and pure fruit. Fnishes with brightness and an almost menthol camphor note. Really fine and elegance. 91pts
2013 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Ravera di Monforte
Planted in 1934, soil is sand
Same vinification
From 2011 forward they changed much more spicy and aromatic when they stopped using the tractor, it was always very sweet,
Aromas of wild flowers, artichoke and carrot tops lend complexity to the intense, savory nose here, rich with aromas of Chinato and red raspberry fruit. Angular, fine, and transparent in the mouth, with great cut, good acidity, and super fine tannins. There’s real finesse and elegance here with great persistence to the fruit, juicy and lightly iris toned in the mouth, with hints of apricot lending nuance to the berry flavors, all layered over gentle mineral notes. This is impressively complex and finessed through the vegetal qualities will be off putting to some I find it beautiful with harmony and complexity. 93pts
2012 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Boscareto
First vintage no green harvest, four years in botte, two in glass, 11 he thinks was too hot in summer which blocked the maturity of the tannins, tannins in 11 are still too agressive so releasing 12 early and first
Whole cluster up to 2015 was food tread, from 2016 and poi they press it and add back the solids, two weeks skin contact since fermentation with the stems is more even, more regular, and easie
Wild cherry and roses offer a classical bouquet here, intense and so lovely, with a hint of stems on entry on the nose. The stems are well integrated but noticeable lending a green olive undertone to the ripe red fruit on the palate. There's plenty of tannin here, ripe but certainly present. Perfumed in a masculine way, Cologne like in the mouth with a finish that is a touch crude. Nice wine, Shows that 2012 lack of harmony but pleasant. 90pts
2016 there was no rain for about 45 days, all of August and September there was no rain, for the long maturation of nebbiolo it was a bit of a problem and prevented the vines from producing the maximum,
2014 Ferdinando Principiano Alta Langa
Still on lees, 30 months on less, 60 Pinot Nero, rest chard ten kilometers south of monforte same Helvetians, at 750 meters, 2014 second ferment with must, solo SS,
Lovely red fruit graces the nose, along with perfumes of wild flowers. Bright with high acids in the mouth supporting lovely deep citrusy fruit that shows a hint of strawberry on the palate, good length, lean, fine, and focused with a fine perlage. Bone dry and brilliant. 90pts
First vintage, bone dry, brilliant wine
2014 frost, 2k, 2015 hail 1k, 2016 full production 8k,
2016 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Bianco Timorasso 12%
Planted in same alta Langa region,
One month in bottle, not in sale yet,
Crushed with stems, to keep it fresh and the need for sulphur fermented with the stems, they are added back to the liquid, no malo, natural yeast ph 2.9-3, maybe 20% stems,
This is the first vintage where it really expresses what Ferdinando has been looking for, vertical, a finish with a sweetness of mature vines were planted in 2010
Very aromatic with distinctive lime, dried green tea aromas paired with limestone minerality. In the mouth one finds lovely richness with a lacy structure. This is mineral and rich with a hint of pear fruit sweetness in the mouth wrapped with juicy lime flavors and a lovely ripe dried herbal note that drives the finish. This really sits upright int he mouth, with good cut and excellent height. 90pts
2016 Ferdinando Principiano Dosset Vino Rosso 0.5%
Early harvest, two week before the usual harvest fro dolcetto Classico, 10.5% the classic interpretation of dolcetto, one week on skins, bottled first week of December, bottled without sulfite
Lovely perfumed nose perhaps more immediate than last year, with a hint of ink and musky violet undertones. Bright and juicy, a playful wine offering lovely fruit with a core of gentle sweet/tartness. Has a bit of tannin this year, tart lingonberry and almost red plum fruit. Eminently drinkable, short of course but fresh and juicy. 85pts
2016 Ferdinando Principiano Dolcetto d'Alba Sant'Anna. 12.5%
South of monforte in direction dogliani, 500m, 40yo, two weeks on skin, only SS, just bottled, used to bottle in August but now prefers to give it four months in the bottle before market, not filtered
Lipstick, waxiness greets the nose followed by very fruity aromas, but not the usual purple fruit, more woodland fruit with a hint of Monforte herbaceousness and a nice tree bark note. There's a sweetness here on the nose. In the mouth this is classic, bright, focused, juicy and fine, with considerable depth tot he wild blackberry flavors, real finesse and transparency for Dolcetto with fine mineral and savory woodland notes on the long finish. 92pts
2015 Nicolas Altare Dogliani 13.5%
Still has animals I be stalls, sotto briccolette di quinietti, in San Luigi but can't
60 yo always bio, 1000 bottles this first vintage, same vinificTion as his,
Big blackberry nose, floral, complex and nuanced, with plummy fruit in a dark and powerful style with an underlay of tariness. A bit chewy in the mouth and rich with sweet tannins and bright acids. Darkly fruity but fresh, if a bit flannely in the mouth. A bit chunky but with nice freshness on the backend and a modest finish. 86pts
2015 Ferdinando Principiano Barbera d'Alba Laura 13%
Serralunga and in Sant'Anna, two weeks on skins, 2016 is the last vintage for the serralunga fruit which has been repainted to nebbiolo , only inox, started harvest 28 August, finished 28 of september, 20 days early, after the first rain
Tight on the nose with subtle aromas of graphite, ivy, and dark plummy fruit. Supple in the mouth with just the thinnest blanket of fruit wrapped around fine grained tannins and juicy, vibrant acidity. This is long with real persistence to the pure fruit, with such detail and precision to the fruit. Not the most complex example of Barbera but it is near perfect for what I look for in Barbera: fresh yet dark on the palate, long and refreshing on the finish. Textbook Barbera. 93pts
2015 Ferdinando Principiano Langhe Nebbiolo 13.5%
Monforte d'Alba Le Coste, 70% in Boscaretto only SS, the lowest boscaretto, Le Coste only SS
Gorgeously layered on the nose yet so subtle with aromas of wild strawberry in alcohol and sandalwood. Light bodied, but here as well there is a touch of weight, though perhaps not to its advantage. The tannins are so well knit, ripe, and rounded, there's a hint of spice here as well, some sandalwood, especially on the backend and through the finish which shows good length. A bit simple particularly on the finish which is a touch medicinal with a hint of stickiness. 87pts
2013 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga 13%
70% boscaretto rest in baudana and lirano leased
One month on skins, two years 20hl slavonian 10hl
A little stewy on the nose with with with ample stoney, balsamic, and medicinal accents over deep limestone aromas. There's terrific fruit here, and such lovely balance that this is approachable already. The tannins arrive late on the palate, deceptively fine and soft, emerging on the the fairly long finish. Mineral flecked in the mouth and subtly woodsy, with an incipient dried mushroom note embedded in silky and pure fruit. Fnishes with brightness and an almost menthol camphor note. Really fine and elegance. 91pts
2013 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Ravera di Monforte
Planted in 1934, soil is sand
Same vinification
From 2011 forward they changed much more spicy and aromatic when they stopped using the tractor, it was always very sweet,
Aromas of wild flowers, artichoke and carrot tops lend complexity to the intense, savory nose here, rich with aromas of Chinato and red raspberry fruit. Angular, fine, and transparent in the mouth, with great cut, good acidity, and super fine tannins. There’s real finesse and elegance here with great persistence to the fruit, juicy and lightly iris toned in the mouth, with hints of apricot lending nuance to the berry flavors, all layered over gentle mineral notes. This is impressively complex and finessed through the vegetal qualities will be off putting to some I find it beautiful with harmony and complexity. 93pts
2012 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Boscareto
First vintage no green harvest, four years in botte, two in glass, 11 he thinks was too hot in summer which blocked the maturity of the tannins, tannins in 11 are still too agressive so releasing 12 early and first
Whole cluster up to 2015 was food tread, from 2016 and poi they press it and add back the solids, two weeks skin contact since fermentation with the stems is more even, more regular, and easie
Wild cherry and roses offer a classical bouquet here, intense and so lovely, with a hint of stems on entry on the nose. The stems are well integrated but noticeable lending a green olive undertone to the ripe red fruit on the palate. There's plenty of tannin here, ripe but certainly present. Perfumed in a masculine way, Cologne like in the mouth with a finish that is a touch crude. Nice wine, Shows that 2012 lack of harmony but pleasant. 90pts