Alto Piemonte is having a moment, and NOAH is one of the producers leading the charge. Andrea Mosca left a career as an architect in 2010 to acquire vines in the heart of the Bramaterra appellation, naming the project after his newborn son Francesco Noah. He has since extended into a hectare and a half in neighbouring Lessona — and this is where things get really interesting.

The Lessona appellation sits on marine sands, which lend its Nebbiolo a silken elegance and refinement. The tannins are present but polished — firm without being aggressive. Notably, NOAH's Lessona is 100% Nebbiolo, without the secondary varieties that frequently appear in these Alto Piemonte appellations — a confident, pure expression of the grape and place.

In the cooler climes of northern Piedmont, Nebbiolo takes on a very different character to the Langhe: lighter, brighter, fresher, and more mineral. Intriguing white pepper, dried sage, eucalyptus, and iron sit alongside the piercing blood orange and dried petal notes you'd expect from Nebbiolo. The structure is there for ageing, but there's an approachability in its youth that makes it hard to resist.

• Varietal: Nebbiolo
• Region: Piedmont, Italy
• Appellation: Lessona DOC
• Vintage: 2021
• ABV: 13.5%
• Size: 750ml