From: Piedmont, Italy
Varietal: Nascetta
Tasting Notes: Bright and laser-like with ripe fruit and a beautiful medium-gold color with light green reflections, this Langhe Nascetta 2019 shows complexity and crispness. Lime, grapefruit and a hint of flint on the nose are perfectly connected with the abundance of plump and fresh juiciness in the mouth. A long finish and good minerality are due to a beautiful acidity and a partial wood fermentation. Overall, 2019 is a wonderful vintage for whites.
Pairing: This wine would taste lovely alongside antipasti and salads, asparagus, and seafood of all kinds. It makes us crave Sam Sifton's recipe for Lobster Risotto.
Anas-Cëtta is an invented name that was used initially because the wine was not a DOC. (In Italy, it is not possible to use the varietal name if the wine is not DOC.) That changed in 2010 when Nascetta of Novello gained DOC status. Since the first limited production in 1994, the Elvio Cogno winery has drawn upon the knowledge of the old-timers in Novello to make a wine for the youth of today. Mentioned in winemaking documents as early as the second half of the 19th century, this white wine, probably of local origin, has a sapidity reminiscent of the great hot-clime varietals such as Vermentino.
Ratings: "Aromas of white peaches, dried flowers, and hot stones follow through to a medium body, creamy texture, and a fruity finish. Dry at the end. Fun for this grape type. Nicely done." –Monica Larner, James Suckling, 91 points
"This full, rounded white opens with aromas of bread crust, chamomile, aromatic herb, and citrus. Reflecting the nose, the rounded palate features grapefruit, honey, and hazelnut before a tangy finish suggesting saline and sage Enjoy now or hold for more complexity." –Antonio Galloni, Wine Enthusiast, 92 points
"The 2019 Anas-Cëtta is delicate and understated in the glass. Lemon peel, white flowers, tangerine oil and mineral undertones all grace this subtle, nuanced white from Cogno. In 2019, the Anas-Cëtta is especially delicate." -Vinous, 90 points
"A wine that always turns heads, the Elvio Cogno 2019 Langhe Nascetta del Comune di Novello Anas-Cëtta is a mid-weight, glycerin-rich white made from an indigenous grape that is rare and dear to the region of Langa. There are aspects of this wine that remind me of the Arneis grape (another local favorite). The wine's smooth and creamy mouthfeel is one element shared between the two. So are those aromas of honey, white peach, pear and acacia flower. Aged in both stainless steel and botte grande, this wine has the textural richness to pair with white meat and even a few red meat dishes." –Kerin O'Keefe, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points
