2015 Oddero, Barolo, $54

Winery info: Oddero is a historic Barolo house dating back over 200 years. It is based in the commune of La Morra in the heart of the Barolo zone, in northern Italy’s Piedmont region where they were one of the first producers to bottle their own wines. Barolo is the source of arguably the most powerful and dramatic expressions of the Nebbiolo grape. The different soil types and microclimates in the region produce wines with distinct characteritics depending on what site, or cru, they are from. Oddero has vineyard parcels in some of the top crus in the region.

Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo.

Vineyards: Sourced from two crus in La Morra (Bricco Chiesa and Capalot, with fine clay, sand, and limestone soil) and one in Castiglione Fellette (Bricco Fiasco, with predominantly clay soil). Wine from each cru is aged separately for 30 months in large Austrian and Slavonian oak, plus at least six months in bottle before release.

Flavor Profile: Very expressive and aromatic, with notes of dried cherries and rose petals and well-integrated tannins. It is medium- to full-bodied, with some intensity, but very approachable now.

Availability: They make about 30,000 bottles a year of this wine.

Drinkability: Drink now or over the next 5 years.

Food Pairing: Enjoy with rich dishes, such as stews, roast meats, or osso bucco, or with earthy dishes that include truffles and mushrooms.

2018 Avennia, La Perle, $39.75

Winery info: Chris Peterson worked for many years at DeLille Cellars before launching Avennia. His Woodinville-based winery began garnering much attention, both locally and nationally, soon after their first release in 2012, and quickly earned a reputation as one of the state’s rising stars. Chris strives to make wines that evoke clarity of place, of type, and of purpose. He was named Seattle Magazine’s 2017 Winemaker of the Year.

Grapes: 65% Roussanne and 35% Marsanne. Fermented in 28% new French oak barrels and aged 14 months on lees.

Vineyards: The Roussanne is sourced from Sagemoor and WeatherEye; the Marsanne from Boushey. WeatherEye is a relatively new vineyard located high on Red Mountain with unique, complex soils, above the Missoula Flood zone. It is proving to be an especially suitable site for growing Rhône varietals.

Flavor Profile: This rich, textured white has inviting aromas of orchard fruit and a touch of brioche, and wonderfully complex flavors of pears and stone fruit. It is quite concentrated and full-bodied with balancing acidity and freshness.

Availability: Only about 150 cases were made and there is very little left.

Drinkability: It is delicious now, but could age for another three to five years or so.

Food Pairing: Our Avennia sales rep (and certified sommelier) suggests grilled summer peach panzanella salad with burrata cheese; curried cauliflower with herby couscous; roasted chicken and root vegetables; or shrimp scampi.