95pts Vinous
The 2018 Lessona from Propriet Sperino is terrific. Intense floral and savory notes make a strong first impression. Lavender, sage, mint, rose petal, orange peel, cinnamon and star anise lend notable complexity. The 2018 is wonderfully dynamic in the glass, revealing myriad shades of complexity over time. It’s a deceptively understated wine with a ton to offer. Drinking Window: 2025-2043

– ByAntonio GallonionFebruary 2025

This is an impressive set of wines from Luca and Paolo De Marchi. These are relatively rich wines, with some oak influence, and yet their balance is impeccable. All three wines are terrific.

• Varietals: 80% Nebbiolo, 15% Vespolina, 5% Croatina. Rootstocks: 3309-C, Gloire de Montpellier, 101-14, Gravesac, Rupestris du Lot.

• Vineyards: Grapes for this wine are grown in the Ormeggio, Castagnola and Belvedere vineyards in Lessona in the Orolungo region, included in the Lessona D.O.C.They are also grown in the 35 year old Madonna degli Angeli vineyard in Brusnengo in the Forte region. It is included in the Bramaterra D.O.C. 5.000 vines per hectare.

• Altitude: Lessona: 290-350 metres above sea level Madonna degli Angeli: 350-420 metres above sea level.

• Soil: In the Lessona vineyards, soils comprise marine sands from the pliocene period on igneous rock, mixed with more recent glacial sediment. The soil is acid (pH 4.5 5.5) rich in minerals and trace elements including iron, manganese, aluminium and zinc. Soils in the Madonna degli Angeli vineyard are composed of pebbles on a base of igneous rock which is close to the surface and veined with china clay. pH here is 5-6.

• Harvest: The grapes are hand picked into small boxes.

• Vinification: The grapes are sorted while on the conveyor belt, then destemmed and gently pressed then fed by gravity into the fermentation tank. Fermentation with natural yeasts in open topped wooden fermenters. Skin maceration lasts 23 days, with regular punching down of the cap. The wine then remained 12 months sur lie.

• Ageing: The wine ages in barrique, barrel and oval, 15 hectolitre casks for 22 months. Further ageing in bottle for some time before release.