NADA FIORENZO
PIEDMONT, ITALY 2020
WHY BUY:
A 95-point Barbaresco for less than $50? A Nebbiolo that Vinous declared “gorgeous” and “overachieving” for $22? Believe it. The Nadas, Bruno and Danilo, writes Vinous, "craft some of the most expressive artisan wines in Piedmont,” but the fact they manage to do it while also delivering such astonishing value is what keeps us in their thrall. This remains not only the best-kept secret in the Langhe, but one of the most undersung estates in all of Italy — best hop aboard the train now, while prices are low, and stock your cellar with all three of these (the third in the trio is a 93-point Manzola 2020 — a very good vintage for Barbaresco — for just over $40). Connoisseurs and collectors know that their winemaking has long emphasized ultra-pure expressions that are delicately perfumed and drink well young, yet possess the energy to age gracefully, and these three bottles are definitive proof of the strength and beauty of their approach.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
Vinous was rhapsodic about all three bottles. Of the Barbaresco Rombone 2020, it wrote: "powerful, incisive and driving, with tons of energy and fine balance. This is classic Rombone all the way. Crushed rocks, incense, lavender, herbs, licorice and dried flowers all race out of the glass.” The Manzola 2020 was right behind it, "a bright, classically austere Barbaresco with all the signatures of this site... Beautifully delineated. Sculpted and precise, with terrific persistence.” The Nebbiolo, a younger wine, nevertheless earned their gushing admiration: “Terrific. Rich and layered … a gorgeous, overachieving wine.”
OUR TASTING NOTES:
These wines capture everything magical about Nebbiolo. Open the Rombone, and it's like stepping into a spice bazaar that's been hit by a spring rainstorm: the immediate rush of wet earth and exotic aromatics that makes you lean in closer. The palate shows serious muscle without flexing too hard, and we love the way the waves of dark cherry and plum build to a finish that conveys hints of tobacco and cedar. The Manzola takes a completely different tack, almost whispering where the Rombone shouts — elegant to its core, it has a gorgeous transparency that lets the terroir of the hillside shine through. Red berries, orange peel, and a hint of tar create a compelling tension. The Nebbiolo 2022 might be the biggest surprise of all, a wine that drinks way, way above its paygrade, with silky tannins and a lovely floral lift that makes it dangerously easy to finish a bottle.
THE STORY:
When Bruno Nada returned to the hills of Langhe from teaching in Alba in the late 1970s, he persuaded his father Fiorenzo to stop selling their grapes and start bottling their own wine. The decision would set the family on a completely new course. In 1982, Azienda Agricola Nada Fiorenzo produced its first bottle. Bruno’s philosophy was simple but, at the time, and in the region, revolutionary: "To capture the purity of the scents and flavours of this bountiful land of ours in a glass bottle." It was a pioneer's vision that somehow, today, feels more relevant than ever. Danilo now follows in his father's footsteps, having returned after studying to take over the direction of the estate.
THE METHOD:
Vinification is done in tank with manual pumpovers and punchdowns. There's no extended maceration here. The wines are barreled by year's end and spend about 24 months in cask — a traditional approach, and one that puts an emphasis on development and integration of flavors.
THE VINEYARDS:
Their holdings include prime parcels in Rombone (where they're the largest landowner at 6.5 hectares), Manzola, and Montaribaldi. Each vineyard contributes its unique character: Rombone, power and elegance; Manzola, classical austerity and precision; Montaribaldi, complexity and depth. All their vines face south (to varying degrees), gaining optimal exposure to the sun.
FUN FACT:
When Danilo studied childhood physiotherapy, he worked as a sommelier at three-Michelin star Piazza Duomo, which is what sparked him to return home to tend the family vineyards.
OUR GUARANTEE:
As always, we only buy and source directly from the producer, to ensure pristine provenance. Order your bottles today! At these prices and at this level of quality, Nada Fiorenzo isn’t going to remain the best-kept secret of the Langhe for much longer.
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2025. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer not valid in CO, CT, IL, KS, MA, MI, NE, NJ, NY, OK & TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Sunday, July 13th, 2025.