Sandrone Nebbiolo d’Alba Valmaggiore 2024 is pure Nebbiolo from the steep, sandy Valmaggiore vineyard at Vezza d'Alba, made by one of Barolo's most respected families. It was rated 93 POINTS by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, who called it "a total delight". Expect sweet dried cherry, cedar and orange peel.
In the glass it shows red fruit lifted by bergamot flower and tea leaves, on a mid-weight, gracious palate.
Galloni says Sandrone's entry-level wines are consistently outstanding and carry plenty of the house style. That makes Valmaggiore a lovely way into Sandrone's wines, and a good weekend wine with roast chicken or mushroom dishes.
In the 19th century, Nebbiolo from Valmaggiore was so highly regarded that it set the grape price for the whole area.
What it tastes like
This wine has a fragrant nose of crushed autumn leaves and fresh mint around the red cherry fruit, with a hint of pipe tobacco.
The palate is sensual and juicy. Sweet, well-structured tannins and fresh acidity keep it bright through a long finish.
It's delicious.
Style at a glance
- Body: Medium
- Sweetness: Dry
- Acidity: Fresh and vibrant
- Tannin: Fine and supple
- Oak: 500-litre French oak tonneaux, which add a touch of cedar and spice without heavy oak flavour
- Style: Fragrant, elegant, juicy Nebbiolo
Food to enjoy this with
- Roast chicken with thyme and lemon
- Tajarin, the fine Piedmontese egg pasta, with butter and sage
- Wild mushroom risotto
- Vitello tonnato
- Duck breast with cherry sauce
- Something unexpected: seared salmon with a soy and ginger glaze. The wine's bright acidity and light tannins sit well with the oily fish.
Who makes it
Luciano Sandrone started making wine in the 1970s in the garage of the family home in Barolo. Today the family, including Luciano's brother Luca and daughter Barbara, farms 27 hectares across the Langhe and Roero. The third generation is now joining the business.
Luciano and Luca found Valmaggiore in the 1990s and made their first vintage from it in 1994. The vineyard is at Vezza d'Alba in the Roero, on the left bank of the Tanaro river. It is a steep, south-facing amphitheatre of soft, sandy soil, and the family works it by hand, row by row.
The grapes ferment with their own natural yeasts in open steel tanks. The wine then goes through its malolactic fermentation (a softening of the acidity) and is aged in 500-litre French oak tonneaux. It spends 9 months in bottle before release.
For the 2024 vintage, the grapes were picked on 1 and 5 September. Sandrone notes that rain fell before harvest, and Valmaggiore's sandy soil drained it away quickly, which helped the balance of the grapes.
Critic scores and ratings
- 93 POINTS – Antonio Galloni – Vinous, January 2026
- 93 POINTS – Kerin O'Keefe – kerinokeefe.com
"Aromas of cola, botanical herb, violet and wild red berry form the fragrant nose on the lovely Sandrone 2024 Valmaggiore. Racy and brimming with elegance, the palate features crunchy red cherry, pomegranate, bitter orange and star anise before a cinnamon finish. It's balanced, with lithe tannins and vibrant acidity. Drink 2027–2032."
When to drink it
Sandrone recommends drinking it from 2027 through to 2039, as the 2024 benefits from a few years of patience.
Technical details
| Producer: |
Luciano Sandrone |
| Wine: |
Valmaggiore |
| Vintage: |
2024 |
| Variety: |
100% Nebbiolo |
| Region: |
Vezza d'Alba, Roero, Piedmont |
| Country: |
Italy |
| Classification: |
Nebbiolo d'Alba DOC |
| Alcohol: |
14% |
| Fermentation: |
Natural yeasts, open stainless steel tanks |
| Oak: |
Malolactic fermentation and ageing in 500-litre French oak tonneaux |
| Cellaring: |
2027 to 2039 (Sandrone) |
Where to buy
The Sandrone Nebbiolo d’Alba Valmaggiore 2024 is available online at thewineryonline.co.nz for delivery within New Zealand. You can also buy it at our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores, alongside a large range of New Zealand and international wine. Online and in both stores you can select a mixed case from a large range of wines.
Questions we are often asked
Where is the Valmaggiore vineyard?
Sandrone's Valmaggiore vineyard is at Vezza d'Alba in the Roero, on the left bank of the Tanaro river opposite the Langhe. It is a steep, south-facing slope of sandy soil.
When did Sandrone first make Valmaggiore?
Luciano and Luca Sandrone made their first Valmaggiore Nebbiolo d'Alba in 1994.
How long can I cellar Sandrone Valmaggiore 2024?
Sandrone recommends drinking the 2024 Valmaggiore between 2027 and 2039.
Is Sandrone Valmaggiore made by the same family as Sandrone Barolo?
Yes. Valmaggiore is made by the Sandrone family at their winery in Barolo, alongside their Barolo wines.
Where can I buy Sandrone Nebbiolo d’Alba Valmaggiore 2024?
The Winery sells Sandrone Nebbiolo d’Alba Valmaggiore 2024 online at thewineryonline.co.nz for delivery within New Zealand. You can also buy it in our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores.
