2017 Solea
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Tasting notes
This is a fascinating wine made with mostly Chardonnay (75%) and a smaller part Nebbiolo fermented off the skins as a white wine. Both grapes come from the Pira cru in Castiglione Falletto. The Roagna 2017 Langhe Solea opens to a bright off-gold color with warm-vintage aromas of ripe peach, cantaloupe melon and preserved lemon. There are some sweet aromas of candied almond and butterscotch as well. This is a mid-weight wine with extra tannic grip and power thanks to the Nebbiolo in the blend. You'd do well to pair it with a fatty fish such as salmon or grilled swordfish steak. Some 225 cases (of 12 bottles each) were released.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Roagna's 2017 Solea is a blend of Chardonnay and Nebbiolo vinified off the skins. Pliant and supple, with terrific depth, the Solea is dominated by varietal Chardonnay notes of tropical fruit, vanillin and butter. More than that, though, the 2017 is impeccably balanced and flat-out delicious. Even though the Nebbiolo portion is done without skin contact, the wine has a good deal of grip. The only problem is that the Roagna Timorasso is even better!
About the producer
Roagna is one of Italy’s finest estates, producing top, single-vineyard Nebbiolos in Barbaresco and Barolo. The estate’s Crichët Pajé Barbaresco is one of the rarest fine wine cuvées in Piedmont with fewer than 2,000 bottles produced each year.