Nebbiolo, the Barolo and Barbaresco grape, is a temperamental beast not unlike Burgundian pinot noir. It succeeds best over a long growing season which allows its haunting complex aromas and flavours to develop and unfurl. Extreme temperatures can blunt its perfume. 2013, however, was not extreme. Whilst spring was not simple, summer was fresh and autumn was long.

Another crucial factor, of course, is the skill and care of the grower. As with Burgundy, the best wines are hand-crafted, made by people who themselves tend their vines and make their own wines.

All of which ensured a clutch of classy, long-living 2013s, which we are delighted to offer here to members en primeur – the first time we have made such an offer from Italy.

The majority are from Barolo, but we also include three Barbarescos that were too good to miss in this vintage. All are truly worth the price you pay.

Sebastian Payne MW Society Buyer

thewinesociety.com/enprimeurBAAPR17

A fantastic, terroir-expressive year for Italy’s finest grape variety

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WHAT IS EN PRIMEUR?En primeur offers (sometimes known as ‘opening’ or ‘in-bond’ offers) involve the purchasing of wines that are still maturing in cask. The wines in this offer are still being matured in Italy, but buying them now means you stand the best chance of securing in-demand wines that may sell out later, and purchase them at opening prices. We’ve been offering wines to members in this way since the 1970s, so you can buy with complete confidence. More information can be found on the back page of this offer and at thewinesociety.com/enprimeur

A NOTE ON ALLOCATIONS:This is the first time we have offered Italian wines in bond and we expect the demand to be high. The wines will be put through our allocation system and members notified shortly after.

BAROLOBarolo’s magical fascination can in part be explained by its multiplicity of hills and slopes, as well as distinct soil types. Whilst the communes of Verduno and Le Morra tend to encourage fragrant aromas and supple tannins, Serralunga produces a firm and more muscular style. What is especially exciting about the 2013 vintage is how terroir-expressive it is, with the differences between the various communes especially and beautifully pronounced.

IT23501 Barolo Arborina, Nadia Curto 2013 £105 per six

Nadia Curto has produced a finely aromatic and supple full-flavoured Barolo from this south-facing La Morra vineyard. She cultivates without the use of chemicals and bottles her wine unfiltered. This is ready to drink sooner than some, but none the worse for that! 2018–2023.

IT23431 Barolo Roggeri, Ciabot Berton 2013 £105 per six

Roggeri, in the hands of Marco Oberto and his sister Paola, makes one of the most impressive wines from the commune of La Morra. This is an expansive, rich-flavoured and generous Barolo with the power and ‘grip’ to age to advantage. 2018–2030.

IT23121 Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose, Poderi Colla 2013 £125 per six

A classic Barolo from the heart of the best bit of the famous Bussia vineyard. Full, beautifully balanced and graceful. Tino and Pietro Colla have many years’ experience in making great wines and this will be lovely throughout what promises to be a long life. Magnums available. 2021–2030.

IT22941 Barolo Acclivi, GB Burlotto 2013 £130 per six

A rich and harmonious wine using grapes from Fabio Alessandria’s best Verduno vineyards including 45% from the famed Monvigliero site. The result is a lovely, balanced Barolo with natural sweetness and elegance. 2019–2028.

IT22951 Barolo Monvigliero GB Burlotto 2013 £150 per six

An individual and complex wine from this special Verduno vineyard. A bouquet reminiscent by turns of raspberries, black olive and gentian, supported with silky fruit flavour and a lovely fresh aftertaste. 2019–2030.

IT22961 Barolo Terlo Vigna Costa Grimaldi, Luigi Einaudi 2013 £155 per six

Exquisite wine, from vines that are close to the town of Barolo itself, with lovely scented red fruit and fine velvety palate that refreshes as it seduces. This would make a fascinating comparison with a Beaune Premier Cru or Volnay. 2018–2028.

IT22991 Barolo Cannubi, Luigi Einaudi 2013 £185 per six

Cannubi wines are famous for fragrant bouquet supported by voluptuous, velvety flavour. Einaudi has 45-year-old vines in the heart of this great vineyard, producing a wine with wonderful red fruit and spices, and a full, structured palate combining finesse and power. 2018–2025.

IT23531 Barolo, Pio Cesare 2013 £188 per six

Gorgeous scented Barolo evocative of roses and violets and with the sweet but classy fruit and length of this lovely well-balanced vintage. Made from a blend of wines from their holdings in Serralunga and Novella. 2018–2025.

This offer will close at 8pm, Tuesday 9th May, 2017. Please read the full terms and conditions on our website thewinesociety.com/italyep

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IT22931 Barolo Ginestra, Paolo Conterno 2013 £185 per six

A beautifully balanced Barolo with a haunting perfume and a supple textured palate. Ginestra is a great vineyard in the commune of Monforte, known for finesse, and this is a model example. The sort of wine you can enjoy young, middle-aged or 20 years after the vintage. 2019–2033.

IT23441 Barolo Baudana, Luigi Baudana 2013 £200 per six

A graceful Barolo that retains wonderful freshness and precision in the hands of Giuseppe Vajra. It has an evocative violet bouquet supported by a full seductive palate and gentle tannins. Worth keeping for a decade. 2022–2040.

IT23451 Barolo Cerretta, Luigi Baudana 2013 £200 per six

This is a knockout. Power and structure combined with elegance and sweetness of fruit from one of the great Serralunga vineyards. A magnificent Barolo made with knife-like precision, which will benefit from ten years’ ageing and last for 30. 2021–2040.

IT23521 Barolo Ornato, Pio Cesare 2013 £315 per six

A serious single-vineyard Barolo of great quality and potential built for long-term development. With splendid depth of flavour and class, this is classic top-flight Serralunga Barolo. 2020–2032.

BARBARESCO

IT23111 Barbaresco Roncaglie, Poderi Colla 2013 £108 per six

2013 is a spectacular vintage for Barbaresco and the Colla’s vines at Roncaglie show it to perfection. A delightful wine with great balance, real complexity and length. 2020–2030.

IT22281 Barbaresco, Bruno Rocca 2013 £155 per six

Lovely intense, perfumed wine with sweet fruit and finesse. Bruno Rocca makes this with low yields from the famous Rabajà vineyard. 2018–2023.

IT23541 Barbaresco, Pio Cesare 2013 £188 per six

Very grown-up Barbaresco for ageing. This comes exclusively from Pio Cesare’s family estate intentionally located on hillside exposures of multiple different terroirs. The result is complex, perfumed and beautifully balanced in this lovely vintage. 2019–2028.

2013 BARBARESCO CASE £154Drinking window 2020 to 2023

A six bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following:

Barbaresco Roncaglie, Poderi CollaBarberesco, Pio CesareBarbaresco, Bruno Rocca

ref OC4297

2013 BAROLO CASE £138Drinking window 2021 to 2023

A six bottle case containing one bottle of each of the following:

Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose, Poderi CollaBarolo Acclivi, GB Burlotto Barolo, Pio CesareBarolo Terlo Vigna Costa Grimaldi, Luigi EinaudiBarolo Roggeri, Ciabot BertonBarolo Arborina, Nadia Curto

ref OC4298

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Uncork with confidence

The Wine Society is a mutual organisation, so our members’ satisfaction is paramount. If, for any reason, you haven’t enjoyed a wine we want to hear about it and will happily offer a credit, a replacement or a refund. thewinesociety.com/promise

This offer will close at 8pm, Tuesday 9th May, 2017.

For information regarding this offer after the close date please contact The Society on 01438 741177 or e-mail memberservices@thewinesociety.com

HOW DOES THIS OFFER WORK?l First, just select and order your wines (if you need any advice,

our team of expert wine advisers is here to help). Orders need to arrive at Stevenage by 8pm, Tuesday 9th May, 2017 and will be processed thereafter.

l Members whose orders have been received by this date will receive confirmation of their purchase by 31st May, 2017 at the latest. We will then take payment.

l All the wines will be available for delivery or storage in the cellars at Stevenage in January 2018. At this point you’ll be asked if you would like to store the wines with us or have them delivered to you.

l The especially fun part! Having secured your wines, you can now drink and enjoy them based on our annually updated drink dates.

Need more information? Head to thewinesociety.com/enprimeur for a full breakdown of how these offers work, including a handy flowchart to explain the process.

IF DEMAND EXCEEDS SUPPLY The Society has a long relationship with many of the growers in this offer and access to good quantities of wine. It is possible however that demand may exceed supply for individual wines, in which case we will share out (as far as is practical) the available stock equally amongst ordering members. If this still does not allow every member to have some wine, then as a final resort we divide members into groups depending on their level of support for The Society (quantity of wine bought, spend, orders placed etc). Members who have given greater support to The Society will have a better chance (but no certainty) of being allocated wine, and those who have given less support will have a lesser chance (but still a chance). The Society may offer a similar wine as a substitute if the original choice cannot be provided, or members may nominate their own substitute when ordering. Doing so will not lessen the chance of receiving the original wine.

MEMBERS’ RESERVESThe Society’s Members’ Reserves is a purpose-built, temperature-controlled facility offering members access to optimum storage conditions. The annual rental charge (currently £8.28 per dozen if paid by direct debit, £9.48 if not) includes VAT and insurance at replacement value.

WHAT THE PRICE INCLUDESl Prices shown include delivery to a UK address. They do not

include excise duty or VAT.

l Payment of duty and VAT, at the prevailing rate (currently £25.98 duty per 12 75cl-bottle case, £12.99 per six-bottle case and 20% VAT payable on wine and duty) will be requested once the wines are removed for delivery or collection from Stevenage. The wines will arrive at Stevenage in January 2018.

l Once the wines arrive, members may opt to have them delivered within the UK or stored in Members’ Reserves.

Notes l Wines are offered in cases of six bottles as indicated.

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