Luigi Oddero Langhe Nebbiolo 2023

More about Luigi Oddero

For lovers of Piedmontese wines, the name Oddero is synonymous with both quality and history. Most would be surprised there is not only one Oddero in the Langhe. Especially because there was precisely only the one until 2006.

From 2006, when the brothers Luigi and Giacomo Oddero split the estate, until his death in 2010--Luigi set out to build his own label from scratch. Sadly his passing left big shoes to fill in the winery. In 2012 Luigi’s family hired Dante Scaglione, a talented winemaker who had been working for Bruno Giacosa for over two decades. A traditionalist to his core, Dante has had a tremendously positive influence on the wines. And by hiring the talented young winemaker Francesco Versio, who also worked at Giacosa, it seems a future of classically styled wines bearing the name Luigi Oddero is bright indeed.

In the vineyard, the winery has moved toward a non-reliance on chemical treatments for some time, though they have become staunchly organic under the supervision of Dante and Francesco. The last vintage chemicals were used was 2014, however they had rarely sprayed during the preceding. What is truly remarkable is that these two skilled winemakers have been able to capture the unique essence that is undeniably Oddero; wines that reveal singular beauty of this corner of Piedmont.

It was all of these factors that drew famed importer Neal Rosenthal to the estate. Many associate Rosenthal with top domaines in Burgundy and the Rhone, but in fact he started in Piedmont with the now famous (thanks to Rosenthal) Carema producer Ferrando. Neal and his team are all Nebbiolo fanatics, prizing traditionally made wines that showcase the brilliance and singularity that this grape and its best terroirs in Northern Italy possess.