Luciano Sandrone 'Valmaggiore' Nebbiolo d'Alba, Piedmont, Italy

Luciano Sandrone Valmaggiore Nebbiolo d’Alba 2024 brings 100% Nebbiolo from the steep, south-facing sandy amphitheater of Valmaggiore in Vezza d’Alba, in the Roero. Spontaneous fermentation in open steel tanks keeps the fruit vivid, while French oak and bottle aging lend structure. In this rain-tested vintage, the vineyard’s well-drained sandy soils helped preserve balance, bringing red cherry and bergamot lift together with structured tannins and a long, smooth finish.

Product Details:

• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 14%
• Grape Variety: 100% Nebbiolo
• Vineyard: Valmaggiore, Vezza d’Alba
• Soils and Exposure: Soft, sandy soils on a steep, south-facing amphitheater
• Vineyard Work: Cultivated by hand; grapes are harvested when fully ripe
• Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in open-top steel tanks
• Maceration: Gentle warm maceration under CO₂; gentle skin maceration during the first 7–9 days of fermentation
• Fermentation Duration: Approximately 25 days for alcoholic fermentation
• Malolactic Fermentation and Aging: In 500-liter French oak casks; approximately 12 months in oak, followed by at least 9 months in bottle before release
• Producer: Società Agricola Sandrone Luciano
• Owners: Barbara and Luca Sandrone
• Oenologists: Luca Sandrone and Alessia Dall’U Sandrone
• Vintage: 2024

Sensory Description:

The wine opens with lifted red fruit, bergamot blossom, and tea, with cherry at the center. Notes of rose, violet, white pepper, and spice add detail, while a fresh line of acidity balances Nebbiolo’s sweet, structured tannins. Its texture is polished but purposeful, carrying red fruit and savory nuance into a persistent, smooth finish.

Awards & Accolades:

• 94 points: Wine Enthusiast
• 93 points: Vinous; James Suckling; Falstaff; Kerin O’Keefe
• 90–92 points: Jeb Dunnuck
• 90 points: Wein-Plus

Producer’s Background:

Luciano and Luca Sandrone first encountered Valmaggiore in the 1990s, drawn to its steep, sandy vineyard and long history of Nebbiolo. The estate’s first Valmaggiore vintage was 1994. The vineyard is worked by hand, and the family’s approach gives the site and grape time to develop their character through slow fermentation, oak élevage, and bottle rest. Following Luciano’s death in 2023, his brother Luca and daughter Barbara have continued the family estate, alongside the next generation.

Serving Suggestions:

The producer recommends drinking this vintage from 2027 through 2039. Serve around 60–64°F in a large red wine glass; if opening it young, give it an hour in a decanter. Pair with vitello tonnato, tajarin with butter and white truffle, roasted meats, or mushroom dishes.