Seghesio Langhe Nebbiolo 2008

Sometimes you can open, pour and taste a wine and not expect anything other than just a drinkable table wine and get much more.  That happened today when Shirley asked for a Marsala to use in a new Chicken Marsala recipe she was trying.  Unfortunately, I had no Marsala or a Port or Sherry that I would have suggested as a substitute. Needing a dry fortified wine I opened a "baby Barolo" I had on hand and just for shits and giggles added a shot of Brandy to one cup of the wine.  That was my way of fortifying the wine. I will gladly take credit for being responsible for a fantastic Chicken Marsala dinner served with peas and mushrooms over Linguine, but it was Shirley that did the magic. My wine was a Seghesio Langhe Nebbiolo 2008 ($20).  After opening I did pour myself a small glass to sip before dinner, keeping enough to enjoy with the meal and have a nice glass afterwards.
The Langhe area has a long history of vinegrowing and many of the wines made here use traditional, well-established grape varieties such as Arneis and Favorita for whites, and Nebbiolo, Dolcetto and Freisa for reds. The Nebbiolo is used for making Barolo which is often described as one of Italy's greatest wines.  The Seghesio Langhe is made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes.
When opened I got aromas of sour cherries with some leather and spicy berry, like teaberry. Very complex in the mouth with taste of cherry, licorice, plum and currant, but still very soft and dry. The only downfall was a very short finish.  Paired well with the chicken marsala and not that bad sipping later, but much more preferred with the dinner.
A very nice table wine at $20. Recommended.