Barolo/Barbaresco are one of the great beverages of the world, yet there is a little mystery surrounding how and when to enjoy them. I am often asked to pinpoint the best vineyard sites, vintages and that elusive “drinking window”, all of which are completely valid and applicable questions. However, much is missed in the waiting. There is joy found in the moments in between, where the stages of youth, adolescence and advanced age are expressed through diverse communes and the intentions of its producers.

The first truly great wine experiences of my life was a Barolo. It occurred during my first job as a sommelier at a restaurant in Yountville, Napa Valley, visiting with the legendary Italian wine specialist Enrico Nicoletto. He poured and discussed three Barolo from a single producer across individual vineyard sites. I was thunderstruck how a single grape, produced in roughly the same style, can have such dramatic differences in the glass. This began a love affair with Nebbiolo and the Langhe, leading to a trip in 2016 to explore the region in its entirety. I return each year to grow my community and knowledge of this area. Other Barolo/Barbaresco wines I will never forget: Burlotto ‘78 Monvigliero, Produttori del Barbaresco ’89 Asili Riserva, Bartolo Mascarello ’93, Marcarini ’82 E. Cogno and many more. Why the term ‘Botte’? It translates to “cask” and refers to large steam-bent barrels for wines requiring time to shape and evolve.