Carema Riserva DOC is made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, grown on steep, terraced alpine vineyards on the outskirts of the small municipality of Carema, in the Northern Italian region of Piemonte. Carema DOC, one of the smallest DOC Italian appellations, is roughly 32 acres, and is dedicated entirely to Nebbiolo, which is grown mostly on stone-wall terraces and trained on stone pillared pergolas, in order to better expose the vines to sunshine, and to allows the soil to be used for growing other crops or providing grazing space for livestock. Cantina Dei Produttori di Nebbiolo di Carema is a cooperative of 78 micro farmers, whose vineyards run concurrent to one another, which was founded in the 1960 to preserve the appellation's unique wine making traditions. Carema Riserva must be aged for a minimum of 3 years, 18 months of which must be in large chestnut or neutral oak barrels. In the glass, this medium-body wine has a light ruby red color with garnet shades. The nose has aromas of macerated roses, fresh dark fruit and spices. The palate is soft and layered with flavors of dark cherries and hints of ground coffee, chestnut, and cocoa, along with bright acidity, strong structure, soft persistent tannins, and a long finish. The longevity of this bold wine is strong, up to twenty years. You can pair it with grilled meats, hearty pasta dishes, game, assorted salumi. 95 point Vinos