Rivetto – More on Piedmont’s first ever Certified Biodynamic Winery February, 2022
Rivetto was the very first certified Organic and Biodynamic producer in the Piedmont, declaring the hard-earned certification in January 2020. This was many years in the making, requiring the sacrifice of some vineyards to replant them with forest. Rivetto continues to deliver a wonderful combination of quality and social commitment to the market while offering the wines at excellent prices for the quality. This is a producer to keep an eye on moving forward.
NV Rivetto, Metodo Classico Extra Brut 72 Mesi, Kaskal (RT93) Previous releases have been aged on lees for 60 months, this bottling was aged for 72 months, which makes an obvious difference and in my view an improvement. No dosage added, this bottling personifies the current popular Brut Nature movement. The most impressive aspect is the purity, the weightlessness, the masterful vinification of Nebbiolo into a world class sparkling wine. Pale straw, reveals notes of yellow apple, fresh Adriatic figs, hints of ginger and white peach with a dusting of chalk on the finish. With time in the glass the fruit emerges more dominantly. The palate is clean and precise as the driven snow, focused and direct. This is simply fabulous and will be intriguing to follow as it evolves and ages. Drink now-2027+
2020 Rivetto, Langhe Nebbiolo (RT92) From the first ever Certified Biodynamic Winery in all of Barolo, this is a blend of 97% Nebbiolo and 3% Barbera. A serious Langhe Nebbiolo that’s aged in oak cask this wine shows a far more serious structure than many Langhe Nebbiolo and is crafted with fruit grown a few steps from the Serralunga border. Showing notes of ripe marasca cherry, cranberry, holiday spice and a dusting of crushed stone. Shows a full-bodied richness with layers of sumptuous fruit, delicious refreshing acidity, and ripe, sweet tannins. This is a real deal that should age well for the mid-term and comes from an emerging impressive vintage. Drink now-2032
2017 Rivetto, Barolo DOCG, Del Comune di Serralunga (RT94) A biodynamic Barolo from free-spirited winemaker Enrico Rivetto, here the wines are interconnected with the earth in a committing manner. This Demeter certified wine is as pure as the driven snow, crafted in a traditional manner and aged in a combination of Slavonian, Hungarian and Swiss oak casks. Shows an inviting, transparent ruby garnet hue, as notes of the mentholated red cherry-based build to reveal accents of spiced plum, sappy cedar, green olives and porcini dust. The mid-weight palate is elegant and balanced with ripe fruit, moderate acidity and supple tannins. A wonderful, food friendly wine that balances style with satisfying early drinking pleasure. This will age well for years to come and is of a style I find enormously attractive. Drink 2024-2037+