Fontanafredda Eremo Langhe Rosso 2014 Wine Review

Fontanafredda Eremo Langhe Rosso 2014

Piedmont D.O.C., Italy

Community Score:91/100

Community Reviews: 18

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Price: $19.95

Drink: 2016-2020

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 13.5%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Fontanafredda

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 90/100

A terrific value from the northern Italian region of Piedmont. This robust red wine is made from the classic and distinctive Nebbiolo grape. Aromas of wild truffle and dark fruit and smoke. Decant 1-2 hours. Pair with game meats.

Food pairings: herbed steaks, Portobello mushroom, chili, soup, lamb chops.

Best Beef Wine

This Fontanafredda Eremo Langhe Rosso 2014 was reviewed on March 17, 2018 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2016 2012 2006

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Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
454041
$19.95
Check Stock

SAQ
10399078
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Reviews and Ratings

Courtney Flood rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

Beautiful wine at a fantastic price, I will definitely be keeping my eye out for this release in vintages March 17, 2018 (in my calendar!). This wine is a mix of dark, seductive Nebbiolo and fresh juice Barbera grape with great results.

Light-medium body, loaded with juicy blackberry raspberry, and strawberry, spicy cinnamon and cardamom, mint and milk chocolate accented with floral violet notes, but balanced with a pleasant mouthwatering acidity.

Pairing: Pair this with a charcuterie board with tangy, nutty aged cheeses and salty cured meats, or with the hearty tomato-y vegetables in ratatouille.

Donna Hargrove rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

Slated to hit LCBO Vintages in March of 2018, this delicious blend of 40% Nebbiolo and 60% Barbera grapes is aged separately for 8 months to develop each grape's unique qualities, then blended to age another 4 months. The result is a deep red wine that provides a complex bouquet of dark berries, chocolate and coffee, followed by the combined sweetness and acidity attributed to each varietal. A perfect combination! For $17.95 this wine will definitely grace many a wine-lovers table.

Tasted October 29, 2017

Andrea Shapiro rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

Also part of Fontanafredda’s “Stripes” flagship wines series, this is a 60/40 blend of Barbera and Nebbiolo, each aged separately for 8 months before blending and aging for an additional 6 months in large casks before bottling. Low yields this year but with an eye-catching medium garnet colour with adventurous aromas of dark plum, black currant, extra ripe stewed strawberry, cassis and vanilla. This could literally be sniffed all day, the bouquet is ever-evolving and begs for another whiff! Flavours of light plum, dark raspberry, cherry, fresh bay leaf and forest elements reward and balance elegantly on the tongue. Rich refined tannins blend with accompanying acidity and body. An outstanding value and QPR on this wine. Will be released March 2018 in vintages. Worth watching for! Pair with soft washed rind cheese, prosciutto, smoked meats and charcuterie. Also good with cheese stuffed olives and bacon. 93 points. Tasted with Fontanafredda brand ambassador, Alberto Frea - October 2017

Greg Hughes rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

Terrific value red from the land of Barolo and Barbaresco. This one is an entry level value wine that combines the juiciness and earlier enjoyment of Barbera and the brooding complexity of Nebbiolo.
It is sourced from the greater Langhe area. It is possible, apparently, for other trace Piedmontese varietals to make their way into the blend (things like Dolcetto or Freisa).
The colour is a beautiful garnet colour. Deep, towards the center.
Aromatically, you get some fresh red fruit from the Barbera, like raspberry, cherry, and wild strawberry. The darker fruit no doubt are from the Nebbiolo. Prune, truffle, blackerry with leafiness.
Smooth, ripe tannin on the palate. Yum. More truffle and a mixture of fig and blackberry confiture. A great example of what this region makes to appeal to the everyday consumer, but a great shout out to those who know the region amd its history.
Put this wine with mushroom risotto or ground lamb burgers.
The winemaking is decidedly modern for Piedmont, but with a foot still in the past. Half the cuvee was aged in French Allier barriques, while the other half was done in traditional, large Italian/Slavonian oak barrels.

Matt Steeves - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

Wow! What an impressive and super value-priced wine ($17.95)! Did they get the price wrong? Seriously, I think they did! This big blend of Barbera and Nebbiolo from Italy's Langhe DOC region is chalked full rich dark fruit, currant, prune, chocolate, anise, graphite, and black tea. Fine tannins add further textural complexity to this blockbuster wine which would be fantastic with BBQ fare, hearty braised beef, or rich pasta dishes. Look for it in March 2018 at LCBO. Back up the truck and load up. Enjoy 2017-2025. Tasted October 2017. 93 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

John Masur WSET 3, Sommelier rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

If you hadn't noticed, Fontanafredda flagship wines are recognizable by their characteristic stripes, which are an acknowledgement to the buildings of the estate with the same appearance. The grapes for these wines are also selected for maximum expression of the varietal characteristics. Eremo 'Stripes' is a traditional blend of the Langhe DOC region comprised of 60% Barbera and 40% Nebbiolo, where the Nebbiolo is not left to macerate on its skins so as to combine the two varietals in greater harmony (Nebbiolo known for its high tannins). The 2014 vintage was known to be cool, rainy, with lower yields, and this is reflected in the higher acidity in the wines with no compromise on quality whatsoever. The black pepper, minerality, dark cherry, leather, and cocoa flavours are notable in the complexity with a long finish. A medium bodied wine you will notice that the flavours are pleasantly concentrated and the wine quality punches far above its price of $17.95. Expect this wine to land at LCBO as a Vintages release in March 2018. Well worth the wait!

Lori Kilmartin WSET3 - WSET3 Sommelier rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Put the month of March 2018 into your calendar and be sure and check the LCBO listings for that month for this delicious and well priced Rosso from Fontanafredda. Comprised of 60% Barbera and 40% Nebbiolo grapes that are aged in small casks for 8 months, blended and then spend another 4 months in large casks. Aromas of smoke/cigar, blackberry and anise. Layers of fruit on the palate; prune, licorice and chocolate. This is a beautifully balanced wine with smooth tannins and a long fruit finish with just the right amount of acidity. 2014 was a rainy season in the Langhe so the yields were low but of superior quality. I will be picking up some bottles for my cellar - I can guarantee you that! Tasted October 29/2017

Lynn Van Der Linde rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Brilliant garnet in the glass, aromas of coffee, cocoa and toasted oak, that transform into a spicy white paper and black plum flavours with a hit of red cherry acidity mid-palate – The acidity reminds us that the Nebbiolo plays a nearly 50% part in this marriage.
Perfect with cheese and charcuterie boards.
Tasted October 2017.

Mary Anne van Gaal rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Watch for this wine coming to the LCBO Vintages early in 2018. It is a wonderful blend of 60% Barbera and 40% Nebbiolo. The two wines are aged separately in oak barrels for eight months and then blended to be aged in large oak barrels for an additional four months. The tannins of the Nebbiolo together with the fresh fruitiness of the Barbera make a great marriage. Blackberry, coffee, chocolate and dried cherry give this wine sweetness and acidity. Great paired with our charcuterie board. Tested October 29, 2017 at an Ottawa Fontanafredda wine tasting.

Andrew Bernardo rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

This is a serious wine for 18 dollars. It features loads of fresh and dried black and red berry fruit, herbs, green coffee, sagebrush, and iron notes. Pair with cheese. 91 points. (www.ottawawinejournal.com)

Kristin Perrin rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Nose: red licorice, hint of violet, slight anise & earthy dark red fruits, dried cherries, leather
Palate: Spicey red berries, coffee, earthy tobacco leaf, dark chocolate, medium plus bodied, firm but friendly tannins. Another great mixed charcuterie and cheese board accompaniment, red meats, hearty bolognese & ragus.

Gwen Barton rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Very pleasing blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera grapes. These two varietals complement each other nicely making for a very drinkable medium-full bodied wine. Aromas of dark fruit, black liquorice and subtle tar notes. More fruit with bitter chocolate and mint come across in the flavor. Big acidity and manageable tannins despite the young age of this wine. A few more years of aging and I imagine this will be fantastic. Pair with your favourite medium weight, Italian cheese as an appetizer. Tasted Oct 2017. @fontanafredda_

Louise Boutin -Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This traditional blend of Piedmonte — 60% barbera and 40% nebbiolo delivers aromas of red plum, dry prunes, clove, tobacco and black pepper. The palate is nicely balance with the acidity of tart red plum and the sweetness of mulberry flavours. The finish is med-long with well integrated tannins courtesy of clever usage of small French and Slovanian oak casks before blending and additional ageing of the blend in large oak casks.
Another exceptional value from Fontanafredda to enjoy now with slow-cooked prune pork roast.
Tasted on Oct 29th, 2017

Cherie Cole rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

The 2014 vintage was a rainy one, leaving lower yields to work with. The grapes that made it into this 60% Barbera and 40% Nebbiolo blend, created a fantastic wine with a complex flavour profile. The varietals were aged in separate casks for 8 months and were blended together later for further aging in larger casks. This dark ruby red wine presents many layers of complexity with aromas and flavours of ripe plum preserves, mocha, dates, sweet spice, blueberry and dark chocolate. Full-bodied and firm with balanced acidity and a long finish. Tasted with Alberto Frea, Brand Ambassador - Fontanafredda. October 29, 2017.

Melanie Lloyd - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Aromas of dark berries, dates, as well as underwood, autumn leaves, and a touch of hazelnut and of cocoa.

Dark berries and cocoa follow through on the palate. The tannins are structured and well integrated with the fresh acidity of this wine. Nice product!

Pairs well with a charcuterie board and with flavourful Italian cheeses.

Tasted October 2017

Sean O'Regan - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Medium ruby garnet, this blend of 60% Barbera and 40% Nebbiolo has the nose showing fruity and savory, red berry, currant, floral, spice and fennel. Medium bodied, the blend here works well, balancing the firmness, savory and fruity aspects will juicy acidity leading to a medium long cherry finish. A fantastic value at 17.95 for pairing with a rich beef stew.
Fontanafredda portfolio tasting - Oct, 2017

From the Langhe wine region in Northern Italy, Fontanafredda Eremo 2014 is a full-bodied, dry red wine made from the Nebbiolo wine grape from that area blended in with some Barbera. Great value for this smoky red. Pair with game meats. - Community Wine Reviews

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Fontanafredda Eremo Langhe Rosso 2014 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 90/100

Pricing & Stock Information