2018 Gossamer Cellars Nebbiolo – Transports You to Italy!
History of Nebbiolo
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Like a great Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Gossamer Cellars in Murphys, California has an excellent Nebbiolo. This is 100% Nebbiolo grapes and won Double Gold at the Sierra Foothills Wine Competition in 2023. A quick recap of world class Nebbiolo grapes. They are found in areas in Piedmont, Italy where a small portion of “other grapes” can be added but that is not within the scope of this story. Nebbiolo has been around since the 1200’s, with some controversy as to its origin in Italy. Some state Piedmont was the origin and other’s state further to the east in Italy. The first written comment about Nebbiolo is from 1268 and was from more easterly Italy. Nebbiolo comes from the word nebbia meaning “fog”. Fog forms in the valleys but the vineyards of Piedmont Nebbiolo are in the sunshine above the fog.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Characteristics of Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo is a thick skinned, late harvesting grape. Key flavors and aromas are pronounced roses, cranberry, sour cherries, leather, and strong minerality along with red fruits. Most notable are the mouth puckering and lip smacking tannins. Most Nebbiolo wines are best served many years after their release date to allow the tannins to settle down. In the glass they can appear light colored and translucent around the edges, but do not be fooled that you are about to be greeted by a “light weight wine” as it carries a big punch! The acidity and tannins are almost unmatched in red wines.
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The etymology of the word gossamer originated in Middle English as “goose summer” or “gos mer”, late summer warmth, when the geese where in prime condition to be eaten! Over time it has morphed into an adjective “gossamer” meaning “light, delicate or tenuous” like butterfly wings. Thus on the bottle of Gossamer Cellars a delicate butterfly or fairy is depicted with butterfly wings. To this end, it is appropriately named as Gary Grant “flitters from varietal to varietal” making unique, high quality and lesser known wines for those open to experience the vast world of wine!
Gossamer Cellars located in Murphys, California is one of the gems of the Sierra Foothills. Their “motto” written in chalk in a very tiny tasting room sums up their goal and lifestyle “Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you” (Anonymous). See the complete story at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2019/01/18/gossamer-cellars-a-unique-find/ .
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I often think of Nebbiolo as a sneak attack wine! It is easy to understand with its light and almost translucent coloring in the glass. On the nose, this lighter colored with delicate rose and violet petal aromas has you falling under its spell. Now lured into a thinking a “Pinot Noir” lays there awaiting a soft sip. Instead this wine punches you in the face with its tight tannins and robust acidity. On the palate, fresh cherry, plum and a hint of strawberry provides a mouth puckering experience. But with the right type of food (almost any with tomatoes), the acidity and tannins are “calmed down”. Herbs with a tinge of anise and leather make the finish complete and decidedly beckoning another sip. Having had many of Gary’s wines, this is one of his two best he has produced to date. I know many more are coming!
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
With my wife down with an injury, our friends Bill & Cheryl McCready’s dropped off noodles and a homemade pasta sauce including fresh ground Parmesan cheese. The recipe is from his mother and includes sausage, ground beef, pork, tomatoes, onions and dozens of spices. One of the most delicious red sauces tasted west of Italy. With the fresh fettucine noodles and cheese, what a delicious meal. The wine with its acidity and tannins were perfectly matched for this dish. This meal and wine transported us right back to Piedmont, Italy.
Definitely a wine to make my annual Best Wines of Year tasted for 2024! I don’t publish a list for sauces, but if I did, McCready’s would be there also.
Sláinte,
Michael