91+ The Valmaggiore vineyard in the Roero appellation is one of the hottest spots for grape-growing in Piedmont today. Fruit coming out of this site has been exceptional these past few years. The 2015 Nebbiolo d'Alba Vigne Valmaggiore shows a youthful personality with fresh primary fruit aromas of cherry and raspberry followed by red rose and pressed violet. The Roero area is characterized by sandy soils so those floral perfumes are very pronounced and intense. Bruna Giacosa just signed a ten-year lease on this site meaning she now manages all the farming needs in-house. The Valmaggiore cru awards us with a different and equally exciting perspective onto the Nebbiolo grape. - Monica Larner