Tasted at Vinitaly: Erede di Chiappone Armando

I have known Daniele for at least 10 years, and have always enjoyed his wines. This was however the first time I had ever sat down and tasted through them methodically. My mistake, should have done it years ago.

Erede di Chiappone Armando Angel
This is a Vino da Tavola because Monferrato Bianco, the Appellation it would qualify for, is not in demand, and Daniele decided to have a go on his own. It's Favorita and Cortese, 50 and 40%, respectively, with 10% Chardonnay too. The wine, a 2010, is pale brassy white with white rim, and has a fresh bouquet with floral accents some savory notes, lemon, and greenish sea salt. On the palate it's fresh and bright, with lively white berry fruit supported by smooth berry fruit acidity and minerality, and some bitterness that flows into a fairly long clean bitter finish. Pleasant, and will drink nicely with fish-based antipasti or with cool dishes in the summer months. Nice freshness!
2 stars

Erede di Chiappone Armando Rosita Duios Aires
This is another 2010 VDT, which Daniele makes as an homage to his grandmother, who saw the first vintage. It's a blend of Dolcetto and Barbera, and fuller than many rosati. Pale orange with white rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with red berry fruit and raspberry fruit supported by brambles and some alcohol. On the palate it's full and rich for a Rosato, with bright sour cherry fruit supported by spicy accents and very lively raspberry acidity that flow into a clean bright berry fruit finish. Quite pleasant in a more powerful key than is usual for Rosato, and will drink very well with simple grilled fish, white meats, and rich pasta dishes. It's a little more serious than some, but satisfying,
2 stars

Erede di Chiappone Armando Brentura Barbera D'Asti DOCG 2009
Lot 11 090
This is a vineyard selection and is deep cherry ruby with black cherry rim. The bouquet is fresh and quite floral, with pleasant tart berry fruit acidity and some spice mingled with lively berry fruit with bright -- have I already noted it -- acidity. Pleasant and zesty. On the palate it's bright and fresh, with rich sour cherry fruit supported by bright berry fruit acidity and smooth rather slight tannins of the sort that are typical of Barbera that flow into a clean sour berry fruit finish with a slight dusky tannic underpinning and bright berry fruit acidity. Graceful in a tart key and will drink very well with grilled or fried meats, going very fast. The sort of wine one can happily drink by the bucket.
90

Erede di Chiappone Armando Mandola Dolcetto D'Asti DOC 2009
Lot 10 300
Inky pyrope with violet rim. The bouquet is intense, and floral, with almond blossoms laced with prune plum fruit and some deft berry fruit acidity, and slight underlying bitterness, though what really comes out are the floral notes. On the palate it's lively with bright cherry plum fruit supported by mineral acidity and dusky bitter tannins with considerable graphite shavings that flow into a clean long bitter finish that gradually resolves into almond blossoms. Classic Dolcetto, and quite pleasant to drink.
2 stars

Erede di Chiappone ArmandoFreisa D'Asti DOC 2006
Lot 10 078
This aged for two years in oak, followed bouquet one in steel, and is deep brick ruby with some almandine in the rim. The bouquet is elegant, with rosa canina (Freisa is related to Nebbiolo and not afraid to say so) supported by delicate cedar and fairly rich spice. On the palate it's full and fairly rich, with languid warm cherry fruit supported by tart berry fruit warmth and clean bright berry fruit acidity that flow into a clean rather warm sour cherry finish with considerable warm tannic underpinning. It's pleasant in a bright key, and will drink well with succulent grilled meats or meat-based stews, and if you like tannic wines you will enjoy it. If you prefer smoother softer wines it won't work as well for you.
2 stars

Erede di Chiappone Armando Ru Nizza Barbera D'Asti Superiore 2006
Lot 10 219
This wine ages in a mix of tonneaux and botti, and as such departs from older vintages, which were just aged in botte. Deep ruby; the bouquet is fairly rich with red berry fruit supported by sweet notes and deft cedar. Up front, but this is also youth. On the palate it's full and quite smooth with fairly rich bright berry fruit supported by lively acidity and smooth sweet tannins that flow into a clean bright finish. Quite pleasant and will drink very well with flavorfull, not too fatty grilled or roasted meats.
90-91

Erede di Chiappone Armando Ru Nizza Barbera D'Asti Superiore 2005
Lot 08 055
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fresh and bright, with sour berry fruit and some cedar laced with sandalwood, and also considerable sea salt. Pleasant and much defter than I had expected of an 05 wine, as they tend to be more brooding and dusky. On the palate it's full, and round, with fairly rich sour berry fruit supported by smooth sweet tannins and dusky greenish accents that flow into a clean bright berry fruit finish with some leaf tobacco and wet leaves that gradually emerge. Nice depth and pleasing elegance. It's more mature and richer than the 06, but the 06 has more absolute potential.
88-90

A quick intro to Erede di Chiappone Armando