Vietti's 2013 Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco is an attractive wine to drink now and over the next few years. Dried cherry, mint, anise and dried flowers are nicely delineated in a soft, open-knit Nebbiolo. Over the last few years, Vietti has improved the quality of their Barolo Castiglione in a meaningful way. Perhaps because of that, there is a greater qualitative difference between the Perbacco and the Castiglione. Intuitively, that makes a lot of sense. In practical terms, however, it means the Perbacco is a good wine, but not the overachiever it has often been in the past.

Without a doubt, this is one of the top easiest-to-drink wines I tasted this year. The 2013 Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco is an approachable and versatile wine that brings on a hearty appetite for genuine home cooking. The wine is ripe with dark fruit nuances and it offers a complete bouquet that is comprised of dark fruit, pressed rose and spice. Despite its apparent simplicity, this Nebbiolo is not without its complexity or depth.