Lodovico Roberto, Aleph 2020

Grapes: Nebbiolo (90%), Uva Rara (10%)
Country: Italy
Region: Piedmont (Bramaterra)
Farming: Organic

Lodovico Roberto, a local who left Alto Piemonte to study, work, and learn in Beaujolais, Burgundy, and Champagne, before returning home to replant and revive forgotten parcels in Bramaterra. His output is tiny — less than 2 hectares under vine, and just a few thousand bottles made each year — but the vision is clear: transparent, soulful wines rooted in place.

Aleph 2022 comes from a season that was almost wiped out by hail. Vinified initially in a borrowed cellar, the fruit was destemmed, fermented in steel, and then aged briefly in a 200L barrel before moving into Lodovico’s own cellar. It was bottled in 2023.

The wines are very traditional in style, lots of depth and a tannin structure that promises the wines will age for many years. It is remarkable that these wines are only from his second vintage.