The Azienda Agricola Rigo has shared a stand with Aurelio Settimo for a number of years now. In part because Silvano Rigo is Teresa's assistant Laura's companion in life, and in part because his wines are very good.
The estate is located in Diano D'Alba, a town east of the Barolo Appellation, with beautiful vineyards on white soils that are planted primarily to Dolcetto, though they do also have other varietals. I will be writing considerably more about Dolcetto di Diano and Diano shortly, but wanted to post notes on Silvano's wines now, because I much enjoyed them.
Rigo Langhe Chardonnay DOC 2010
Lot LC1
Pale brassy yellow with brilliant greenish reflections. The bouquet is moderately rich, with greenish vegetal accents mingled with some clover honey. On the palate it's fairly rich, with bright lemony fruit supported by clean minerality and citric acidity that flow into a fairly rich slightly greenish berry fruit finish. Pleasant in a nice fresh key, and will drink quite well with fish or white meats, including fried fish and similar. Will go quickly.
2 stars
Rigo Langhe Arneis DOC 2010
Lot A1
Pale slightly greenish brassy gold with white rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with honeydew melon and some greenish accents supported by pleasant spice. On the palate it's a bit fuller than the chardonnay, with powerful fairly sweet white berry fruit, a mix of loquat and yellow peach supported by some honeydew melon , and by clean honeydew melon acidity that flows into a fairly long finish. Pleasant, in a richer slightly softer key -- there's more sweetness and less acidity -- and will work nicely as an aperitif or with grilled or roasted fish, and will also be nice with frittate and similar.
2 stars
Rigo Intrigo Vino da Tavola Rosato Lot 209
This is a VDT because as of yet Piemonte doesn't contemplate the possibility of making a Rosé (though it's in the works). Pink with bright salmon reflections and white rim. The bouquet is fresh, and quite intense, with floral accents and raspberry fruit mingled with some menthol and hints of sweetness; it's quite refreshing and brings a flower patch to mind. On the palate it's full and fairly sweet, with rich raspberry fruit supported by fairly bright raspberry acidity that flows into a clean sour berry fruit finish. Pleasant, in a direct key, and will be quite nice chilled as an aperitif or with friends on a patio as the lights go down and the stars come out.
1 star
Rigo Dolcetto di Diano D'Alba DOC 2009 Lot DP1
Lively cherry with violet accents. The bouquet is classic, with rich violets mingled with berry fruit and bitter almonds, and hints of underbrush as well, and some deft spice that keeps things moving right along. On the palate it's quite nice, with rich prune laced fruit shot with violets and graphite bitterness and warmth, and supported by mineral acidity and tannins that have a graphite shaving bitter burr and flow into a clean fresh finish. A classic Dolcetto that will drink very well with simple grilled meats, or light stews, and that will also be a nice cookout wine, working well with both hot and cold foods.
88-90
Rigo Barbera D'Alba DOC 2009 Lot BA1
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is bright, with lively sour cherry fruit supported by deft greenish acidity. Quite pleasant and very classic, what one expects of an unoaked Barbera. On the palate it's bright, with lively sour cherry fruit supported by berry fruit acidity and light tannins that flow into a long warm bright sour cherry finish. Quite pleasant, and a very classic Barbera, one that will go very well with grilled meats or light stews, and be a nice cookout wine as well.
90
Rigo Barbera D'Alba Superiore DOC 2008 LBS1
Deep black almandine with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with candied berry fruit supported by some cedar and spicy notes; it's elegant but has a pondered feel to it. On the palate it's full, with bright cherry plum fruit supported by deft berry fruit acidity and by smooth sweet tannins tat are well polished and flow into a clean spicy berry fruit finish. Quite elegant in a rich rather international key, and if you like this style you will enjoy it very much, because it has polish but is very much alive.
88-90
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