Giornata Wines, Adelaida District – Paso Robles (Central Coast, California) Nebbiolo 2019

 Located in the northwestern corner of Paso Robles, Adelaida was “discovered” in the 1970s and singled out for its rolling hills and calcareous, limestone soils.  Early on it seemed suited to Pinot Noir, but today its reputation rests with the success of both Bordeaux and Rhône varieties.  Nowadays Giornata is making a strong case for Italian grapes.  Nebbiolo was the winery’s debut wine in 2005 and the learning curve has been steady.  This 2019 is sleek and impressive.  Fermented with native yeasts, it was aged for two years in neutral oak.  It was also given a lengthy post-fermentation maceration on its skins.  As it opens in the glass, this wine shows dark fruit and licorice aromas with a touch of leather.  Medium bodied, it remains lively on the palate and has cherry fruit, light chalky tannins and definite acidity.  Overall, it is youthfully tight but beautifully balanced.