The Monforte d'Alba commune of Barolo is known for producing wines of incredible definition, sculpture, and ageability — this is Costa di Bussia. 

Located on the famous Bussia hill, the historical Costa di Bussia estate (also known as Tenuta Arnulfo) was founded in 1874 by Luigi Arnulfo. For Barolo, Luigi was a trailblazer. Beyond his innovations in the cellar, his wines were the first to enter California in 1890, helping to establish Barolo as an internationally recognized wine region. If you're a Nebbiolo fan, Luigi Arnulfo owns a small slice of your enthusiasm.

This 2013 Riserva bottling comes from the estate's Bricco vineyard, its "closest vineyard to the sky." Because of Bricco's prime altitude, southwest exposure, and calcium rich soils, its Nebbiolo vines are exclusively dedicated to the Riserva wines. Aged in 5000-liter Slavonian barrel (no lick of new oak), Costa di Bussia is for the hard-line Barolo enthusiast. Perfectly brick red in the glass, whiffs of menthol, dried cherry, chestnut, and amaro make a stately first impression. The palate is lean but plentiful, with gobs of red and white stone, and sexy, long-legged tannin. I recommend decanting the wine for an hour, taking a stab at your best mushroom risotto, and letting the magic of 2013 do the rest.

Happy Drinking!
Allegra