Poderi Colla

Poderi Colla

Poderi Colla have to be one of the best value producers in the Piedmont, improving year on year Poderi Colla are my choice for some really good Nebbiolo to stick away for 10 years and some choice Barbera and Dolcetto for drinking today. I drink more Poderi Colla than most, selling it at TCD I've been exposed to Poderi Colla for a couple of years now and though not really a famous name outside of Italy the company are well known for (take a guess) QPR! It's a little secret, a cult winery, but I'm willing to be kicked out of the club and give you the heads up.

QPR is what I'm all about, it's what we want in wine, it's what we want in life. We don't mind paying for quality and we have quality here in spades. With some of the most beautiful vineyards about, take a looksee left, Poderi Colla own vineyards in Alba, Barbaresco and Monforte the company produce some very interesting wines that I think you might want to aim directly at your north and south.

The incredible value wines come from Poderi Colla's Alba estate, these are a little more affordable. Growing on the Bricco del Drago (Dragons Hill) Poderi Colla produce 70,000 bottles at this estate including a favourite wine of mine, the blended Nebbiolo/Dolcetto "Bricco del Drago". This isn't the only great value wine from the Alba estate, no siree, you can also pick up a really very good Nebbiolo d'Alba.

They also produce a number of wines I've never tried. If you have tried them then tell me purlease below in the comments. Those wines are a Pinot Nero, Freisa, a blended Pinot/Chard/Riesling, a Riesling, a Pinot Nero Spumante and a sweet Moscata. There's also a wine museum on this estate. Poderi Colla is a great vineyard to visit in Alba, picking up the wines cheaper than usual and getting an education too. What could be better?

The next two estates are where the serious wines come from. Poderi Colla's Barberesco is coming forward in leaps and bounds year on year. Barbaresco Roncaglia has been a 90+ wine every year realised this millennium, it is a really elegant wine, not a powerhouse but opulent and luxurious and it's also a frickin steal.

The show stopper, attention grabber, muscled Mary showing off at the back is the Barolo from Monforte. The Barolo Dardi le Rose from 2004 has been praised internationally and shows a very particular type of Barolo. If the Barbaresco is a little feminine, the Barolo is its complete opposite. Rich, complex, bold with a luscious big mouth feel, you know you've been Barolo'd with this effort. It's a 93 Point Antonio Galloni wine, I'd go along with this score and at €31 for a 2004 vintage, 93 Point Barolo well, it's QPR city.

Where can I buy this wine?

Europeans - Enoteca Grandivini - €31

Americans - Corporate Wines - $49

Brits - The Cellar Door - £24

Leave a Comment

Which has been your favourite vineyard visit and why?

Bricco del Drago

Hey Ratfans,

Bricco del Drago... we're going left field today kids.

What a beautiful day it is here in Rome, the sun is out, the birds are singing, the horns are blasting and I was only woken at 5.30am this morning by garbage trucks, guess it's a Tuesday right? RIGHT. I suppose the garbage boats on Venice island could be quieter, we shall soon see.

So back to business, this week I've been out and about, back to London, went a bit wild on some trashy U.S Zinfandel but I'm here now back in the saddle and will review 3 pretty decent mid priced wines from 3 pretty decent producers, Poderi Colla's Bricco del Drago 2004, Planeta's Merlot 2005 and Azelia's Barbera d'Alba Vigneto Punta 2003.

Now, I know, I know I've been neglecting Tuscany, but it's such a greedy attention grabber that sometimes I want to ignore it just to teach it a lesson. The next post will be, certainly, a Tuscany feature with some Brunello's, Chianti's and maybe a few randoms for good measure. It's a struggle, I don't like abandoning the Piemonte but, for you and your complaining emails, I will subject myself. Look at it just sat there, with its cypress trees, meandering lanes and rolling hills. So smug. Just ignore it.

Bricco del Drago Poderi Colla 2004 - BUY - €16

Luxury dark purple in the glass, looks thick and jammy because it is. 85% dolcetto and 15% nebbiolo d'alba go into an interesting blend that starts a little sharp but has lots going on and evolves in the glass and on the palate. I love wines that give you something to talk about and this wine does. The palate is full on with flavours but still opulent and silky, great tannins, basically it's like a blueberry muffin, liquefied with a dash of coffee. Really nice and unique wine, spicy nose, fair price for something different. I think it's the perfect age now but another 2-3 years aren't going to hurt - 90 Points

Merlot Planeta 2005 - BUY - €20
2005 was a star year in Sicily and Planeta is, in my opinion, the star producer in Sicily so almost all of the wines of this year from Planeta are superb. We have another dark wine in the glass, very dark purple, dark hues, could do with some time in the bottle. The nose was a little dull actually but definite hints of vanilla, blackberries and raspberries but again leads me to believe the wine should be left for a while. The palate was gorgeous, thick, jammy, fruity, very powerful, a little tannic but fulfilling. Giving it 89 today but thinking another couple of points may come thru in a couple of years time. - 89 Points

Barbera d'Alba Vigneto Punta Azelia 2003 - BUY - €20

Rounding up the third very dark wine. This Barbera I can recommend very highly, some Barbera's are a little rough and ready but this is a gem. We have a real concentration of dark berries, hints of oak but what strikes you is the wines fruity nature, you like fruit bombs? You'll like this. On the palate the wine is jammy, smooth and balanced and with a bonus of a silky, long finish. - 90 Points

Where can I buy this wine? (Bricco del Drago)

Europeans - Enoteca Grandi Vini - €14

Americans - Hi Time Wine - $30

Brits - The Cellar Door - £11

Question of the Day

Do you like Tuscany and/or Tuscan wines? If so, what's so great? Let me know and regarding the wines, I will go and try them. Share, when you don't it makes my bottom lip wobble.