Back in 2010, when wine blogging was trending like Taylor Swift, an Alba-based media company asked me to lead a group of writers to Piedmont. The occasion was “Barbera Meeting,” an early iteration of the big Barbera tasting and dinner they do each year in Nizza.

Barbera was the focus but the firm also organized some visits to other clients of theirs. One of those was Cogno in Barolo.

I’ve always liked Valter Fissore’s wines a lot (2005 Barolo Ravera anyone?). But the star of the tasting that day was a nine-year-old 2001 Anas-Cëtta (Nascetta). We were all really impressed with how beautifully this wine had aged.

So, when I got back to the States, I bought a case of the 2010 and put it in my cellar in San Diego. Over the years, we drank and enjoyed the wines immensely. But I saved one bottle for longer-term aging.

Last weekend, when Tra, the girls, and I were in La Jolla for my mom’s 90th birthday celebration, she and I opened the last bottle from our cellar after everyone went to bed.

It was astounding! It had a little bit of funk when first opened, but then it immediately blew off as the wine started showing tireless and extremely fresh white and stone fruit, with just a slight note of nuttiness and delicate oxidation (barely any). We were simply floored by this wine.

A pretty good investment for $25, no?

Chapeau bas, Valter! I’m so glad you turned us on to this extraordinary wine.