2019 Langhe Nebbiolo, Produttori del Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
About this WINE
Produttori Del Barbaresco
Barbaresco
The Piedmontese DOCG zone of Barbaresco is responsible for producing some of Italy’s finest wines. It occupies the same region and uses the same grape (Nebbiolo) as its bigger brother Barolo, but is a third of the size (only 640 hectares versus Barolo’s 1,700 hectares). It is also 50 years younger than Barolo, having produced wine labelled Barbaresco since 1890.
Barbaresco earned its DOCG after Barolo in 1980, largely thanks to the efforts of Angelo Gaja. The soils are lighter here than in Barolo – both in colour and weight – and more calcareous. The slopes are also less favourably situated and (relatively speaking) yield earlier-maturing yet extremely elegant wines that require less oak ageing (normally one year in oak plus six months in bottle). The appellation’s key districts are Barbaresco, Treiso, Neive and Alba.
Recommended producers: Cigliuti, Gaja, Marchesi di Gresy
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo is the grape behind the Barolo and Barbaresco wines and is hardly ever seen outside the confines of Piedmont. It takes its name from "nebbia" which is Italian for fog, a frequent phenomenon in the region.
A notoriously pernickety grape, it requires sheltered south-facing sites and performs best on the well-drained calcareous marls to the north and south of Alba in the DOCG zones of Barbaresco and Barolo.
Langhe Nebbiolo is effectively the ‘second wine’ of Piedmont’s great Barolo & Barbarescos. This DOC is the only way Langhe producers can declassify their Barolo or Barbaresco fruit or wines to make an early-drinking style. Unlike Nebbiolo d’Alba, Langhe Nebbiolo can be cut with 15% other red indigenous varieties, such as Barbera or Dolcetto.
Nebbiolo flowers early and ripens late, so a long hang time, producing high levels of sugar, acidity and tannins; the challenge being to harvest the fruit with these three elements ripe and in balance. The best Barolos and Barbarescos are perfumed with aromas of tar, rose, mint, chocolate, liquorice and truffles. They age brilliantly and the very best need ten years to show at their best.
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Description
Red and black fruits mingle on the nose, along with hints of summer herbs. Surprisingly full and mouth-filling on the palate, serious depth of red summer fruits, coupled with something darker, spice and hints of undergrowth. Bright acidity and fine-grained tannins round this off. Long and refined on the finish. A profound Langhe Nebbiolo, easily mistaken for a Barbaresco if tasted blind. Drink 2021-2030.
Chris Pollington - Private Account Manager (January 2021)
This is an excellent Nebbiolo made from declassified Barbaresco fruit, super value for money here too. The 2019’s nose is enticing with aromas of wild strawberries, fresh red cherries and bright floral notes. The palate is elegant, silky and vivid. I love the freshness which has been captured that compliments the red cherries, cranberries and minerality. It’s quite simply a very well-crafted Nebbiolo highlighting the nuances of the varietal at a fair price. For me, the fresh and zippy style leans towards earlier drinking. Enjoy over the next 4 or 5 years from 2021.
Daniel Martin - Private Account Manager (January 2021)
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