A garnet-red in colour with orange hues. Scents of raspberries, rose petal and dark ripe cherry. On the palate, full-bodied and generous with a velvety mouthfeel leading to a lingering finish suggesting sweet spices and a hint of vanilla. Although the tannins are rich, the wine is soft enough to be drunk now with a porcini mushroom risotto, brasato al Barolo (beef braised in Barolo) or agnolotti - pasta parcels stuffed with roast meat or vegetables. 

The Principiano estate is situated in Monforte d'Alba in Piemonte's Langhe Hills and was founded by Ferdinando's father, Americo, in the 1950's. Ferdinando took charge of the estate in 1993 and since 2004 has farmed biodynamically, using no chemicals in the vineyards or sulphur in the cellar. There are 10 hectares in all, producing 35,000 bottles annually. Yields are low and quality control ruthless. 'Serralunga' is Ferdinando's entry-level Barolo and comes from a 4-hectare plot of young Nebbiolo vines planted in the Boscareto Valley in Serralunga d'Alba. Fermented without the addition of sulphur, the wine is then aged in oak barrels for 2 years before release. The resulting wine is fresh and juicy. Very approachable, but more importantly, makes for a superb food wine.