2020 Massimo Clerico, "Ca' du Leria" Rosso, Coste della Sesia, Lessona

The Clerico family’s winemaking roots in northern Piedmont go back to the 1700s, and when the Lessona growing zone was “officially” recognized as a DOC (Denomination of Controlled Origin) in 1976, Massimo Clerico’s father, Sandrino, was one of the first growers to use the designation. As with all the appellations of northern Piedmont, Lessona is quite small, with only about 23 hectares of vineyards registered under the DOC. The Clericos farm only about two hectares within Lessona proper—making them the 3rd largest landholders in the appellation! Yet while the appellation name may be more geographically broad, “Ca’ du Leria” is very specific: It’s a steep-sloping single vineyard, “Vigna Leria,” situated right next to the Clerico family home. As with most vineyards in the Lessona region, it sits on what was once a seabed, in soils of ancient marine sand; in addition to Nebbiolo, which comprises 50% of this wine, the site is planted to the other local red varieties Croatina (30%) and Vesp