Lorenzo Negro - Roero Arneis DOCG Riserva Sant'Anna 2021 750ml (13.5% abv)

Arneis grapes from vineyards belonging to the Sant’Anna “menzione geografica aggiuntiva”. Sandy soils rich in fossils.

Grapes are harvested manually in mid September in small boxes and pressed softly; the grapes ferment at a controlled temperature in stainless steel containers to preserve all aromas.

The wine ripens in 225l durmast barriques for 10 months. After being bottled the wine ages for several months in the bottle.

straw yellow with golden hues. Nose: intense flavors of yellow fruits, citrusy notes and flint. Mouth: long persistence with wax and honey notes, iodine salt finale.

romas of hazelnut, Spanish broom and fennel seed follow over to the medium-bodied palate along with ripe peach and mineral notes recalling smoke and flint. It shows depth and finesse, while fresh acidity lifts the rich flavors. 

Gnocchi
Calamari
Risotto

Nestled inside a valley that was inhabited by the ocean eons ago, one will find the Roero. Within this small region of Piemonte is Negro Lorenzo, a truly great representation of all things Italian wine. Lorenzo is a young guy like myself, and even though he does have a few years on me (don’t tell him I said that) he is one of the most hard working winemakers I’ve ever met. Every time we get together, I am reminded of all the fortitude and discipline I will need to establish my own business. I am also reminded that as romantic as wine can be, that there are a lot of challenges involved, particularly when you are trying to build a brand.

Negro Lorenzo is located in Monteu Roero, in the Langhe region, north of Alba and the famous Barolo/Barbaresco territory. Roero is a territory that is unlike Asti or Barolo in that it is jagged and rough around the edges.

The winery overlooks a very dramatic and beautiful valley. Throughout the countryside here, you can clearly see where the ocean once receded from, as the valley is cut out as if by a knife.

At Negro Lorenzo, they have been making wine for over a hundred years. In fact, Lorenzo’s grandfather of the same name and his two brothers carted wine from where today’s winery stands to Turin and Cuneo to sell at the local markets. In the last ten years, however, Lorenzo has recently decided to bring this production to another level with the creation of Negro Lorenzo.

The sandy soil full of marine fossils leads to more elegant wines compared to the surrounding zones. In fact, the scallop shell that is on the label of all of Lorenzo’s wine was found while planting new vines. The fossils are apparent inside the cantina as well, where the wines are aged. Fossils are part of the actual foundation of the building and a constant reminder of the history of this land.

With each visit, a glass of wine is always enjoyed overlooking the Roero on the patio. This is followed by a coffee made by Lorenzo’s mother, who constantly reminds Lorenzo of his roots while sharing photos of his childhood. A drive around the area to see the chestnut trees, peaches, apricots and plums is always important to understand the diversity here and how the terroir can contribute to the incredible complexity of each wine.

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