Stefano Occhetti Roero Riserva 2020

Back in July we shared the story of Stefano Occhetti, a new (to us) young Piedmontese engineer-turned-vigneron making waves in Roero – an appellation comparatively overlooked by modern drinkers and separated from Barolo and Barbaresco by the Tanaro river.

Returning to his homeland in 2019, Stefano took over 1.8ha of Roero vineyards planted by his grandfather in the 1940s. Dedicated to traditional Piedmontese techniques, he works the land by hand and without chemicals.

While Stefano’s Langhe Nebbiolo and Roero ‘Sanche’ quickly sold out over the summer, here is your chance to get your hands on his flagship Roero Riserva – an incredibly perfumed and elegant expression of Nebbiolo from 70-year-old vines that have sadly since been replanted. Just 600 bottles were made.

The fine wines of Barolo and Barbaresco have never enjoyed so much attention, but Occhetti and other new domaines such as Bricco Ernesto are demonstrating that their brilliant hidden gems in Roero deserve just as much focus.

Red cherry, tar, fresh roses, orange rind, lovely cocoa powder tannins. Already delicious, but has a big future ahead.