2010 Proprieta Sperino Lessona

Tuscan superstar Paolo de Marchi from Isole e Olena took over the Sperino estate in 1999 with dreams of revitalising the property which had been owned by the Di Marchi family since the early-1900s and realising the dream of returning to his family’s origins. Located in the small town of Lessona in Northern Piedmont, Paolo farms his vines from the regions Pliocene marine sands at around 300 metres above sea level. The varieties are of course Nebbiolo for the Lessona DOC, with the addition of Vespolina and Croatina for the Uvaggio Costa della Sesia DOC. These are beautifully crafted wines from one of Italy’s great winemakers.

Very deep dark red colour with black tinged edges and a dark brick red hue. Stemming from the glass are pronounced ripe blackcurrant and dark cherry aromas which intermingle with dried herb, spicy tobacco, earth and old leather notes along the way. Bold and rich with a supple entry, the mouth is awash with blackcurrant and dark cherry fruits which are quite ripe and fleshy for Nebbiolo. Complexing elements of earthy dried herb characters, tobacco, spicy old cedar and leather also drift across the back half. Whilst still bright, time has softened the acidity and tannins to the extent that there’s almost a velvet like feel to the wine. Slightly robust on the finish yet long and rather luxurious.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14%

Other Reviews....
Here is an older vintage that bursts open from the glass with a delicate, almost Burgundian personality. The 2010 Lessona comes from granite-rich and sandy soils at the base of the Italian Alps. The wine opens to a pretty garnet color and a brilliant ruby hue. Nebbiolo from Alto Piemonte tends to show a lower threshold of tannic astringency, and this wine is silky, graceful and finely textured as a result. Open-casks fermentation shapes an accessible and generous bouquet with wild berry, moist earthy tones and anise seed. Drink 2017-2028.
94 points
Monica Larner - Wine Advocate (Sep 2017)

A total knockout, the 2010 Lessona is laced with freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries, mint, anise and new leather, all supported by fine, silky tannins that convey an impression of weightless elegance. The flavors are bright, precise and very nicely sculpted in this mid-weight Lessona from Sperino, yet there is plenty of depth in the fruit to balance out the tannins. The 2010 is already quite pretty and should continue to drink well for another 10-15 years, if not longer. The 2010 is 100% Nebbiolo that spent 3 years in a combination of 5 and 15HL casks. Readers seeking to understand how magical Nebbiolo can be in the northern reaches of Piedmont should start here; this is a fabulous showing from Sperino. Drink 2016-2030.
94+ points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous