G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera
Pio Cesare Barolo Mosconi D.O.C.G.
Pio Cesare have been making wines in their ancient cellars in central Alba for 141 years, from their vineyards based primarily in Barolo and Barbaresco. Today, fifth generation Federica Boffa with her cousin Cesare Benvenuto lead this prestigious estate, after the untimely passing of Pio Boffa in 2021 after 40 years as the face of Pio Cesare. The winegrowing is sustainable and the winemaking largely traditional resulting in wines of great elegance, structure and purity. The Pio Cesare family’s unique winemaking method stresses minimal intervention to produce wines of particularly supple flavour expression. A ceaseless devotion to the individuality of each of the region’s wines informs Pio Cesare's choices in the cellar: shorter maceration, separate lot fermentation, judicious selection for barrel and large cask aging, and bottling schedules determined by the ideal structure of each wine. This allows Pio Cesare to craft wines of varying weight, ageability and drinkability as determined by the vineyard rather than market fashion. Mosconi is thought to be one of the true “grand crus” of the commune of Monforte d’Alba, itself one the most prestigious areas within Barolo. Its soils and microclimates allow Nebbiolo to grow exceptionally well and produce styles of Barolo with great structure, incredibly unique and distinctive aromas, and big opulent tannins that are accessible and ripen, silky and rich. This is a single-vineyard Barolo from grapes sourced from the oldest Nebbiolo vines (1947 and 1971) in the family's famous Mosconi vineyard in Monforte d’Alba at an altitude of 390 metres. The Nebbiolo harvest began mid-October, and immediately showed all the hallmarks of a ‘classic’ year – excellent tannin ripeness and balance, foretelling wines of structure with great aging potential. The grapes are softly crushed and destemmed at the winery's ancient cellars in the centre of Alba. Fermented in two stainless steel tanks for ten days: the skin cap, frequently punched down, reached a maximum temperature of 86°F. Maceration on the skins for over 30 days. The fruit for the Pio Cesare Barolo Mosconi comes from a small selection of the oldest Nebbiolo vines of the family-owned vineyards at the Mosconi, in Monforte d’Alba, one of the most prestigious areas of the entire Barolo region, very well known for great complexity, elegance and longevity. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks. Long skin contact maceration for 30 days at high temperatures. Then aged in big French and Slavonian oak “botti” for at least 2 years; for a small amount in barriques as well.
Conterno Fantino Vigna del Gris, Barolo
Michele Chiarlo Cerequio Barolo
Michele Chiarlo was founded in 1956 by the sole and present owners, Michele and Giuseppina Chiarlo. Son of over seven generations of esteemed wine growers, Mr. Chiarlo is today one of the most respected producers of the fine wines of Piedmont and a leading figure in its viticultural industry.Cerequio is one of the Langhe great historical cru. Barolo Cerequio is unique for its balsamic and minty aroma and for its elegance. Sweet tannins and sublime fruits are evident even when more mature. It reaches its peak after about 6 years and it is splendid for at least 20 years.
Pio Cesare Barbaresco Il Bricco di Treiso
Pio Cesare have been making wines in their ancient cellars in central Alba for 141 years, from their vineyards based primarily in Barolo and Barbaresco. Today, fifth generation Federica Boffa with her cousin Cesare Benvenuto lead this prestigious estate, after the untimely passing of Pio Boffa in 2021 after 40 years as the face of Pio Cesare. The winegrowing is sustainable and the winemaking largely traditional resulting in wines of great elegance, structure and purity. The Pio Cesare family’s unique winemaking method stresses minimal intervention to produce wines of particularly supple flavour expression. A ceaseless devotion to the individuality of each of the region’s wines informs Pio Cesare's choices in the cellar: shorter maceration, separate lot fermentation, judicious selection for barrel and large cask aging, and bottling schedules determined by the ideal structure of each wine. This allows Pio Cesare to craft wines of varying weight, ageability and drinkability as determined by the vineyard rather than market fashion. This wine is a single-vineyard Barbaresco using very ripe grapes from several plots in the famous Il Bricco estate owned by the Pio Cesare family. While soils in surrounding villages are sandy, the Il Bricco vineyard is primarily composed of limestone and clay. In the Piemontese dialect, Il Bricco translates to "peak of the hill." Reaching 400 meters above sea level, this estate is characterized by cool weather and important diurnal swings—both favourable conditions for the ripening of the Nebbiolo grape. The Nebbiolo harvest began mid- October, and immediately showed all the hallmarks of a ‘classic’ year – excellent tannin ripeness and balance, foretelling wines of structure with great aging potential. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, with 15 days of skin contact. This wine ages in French oak for 30 months: 70 percent in new barriques and 30 percent in 20-hectoliter casks. It is produced in small quantities and only in excellent vintages. A traditional vintage delivering fresh fruits and beautiful aromas, with great structure and complexity, intense colour and a balanced acidity, with sharp tannins but already approachable - all the classic components of the great outstanding vintages of Barbaresco.
Elio Grasso Ginestra Casa Mate
Casa Maté is the more masculine of Grassos two regular Barolos, showing darker fruit, more tar and a more robust tannin profile. The fruit comes from a south-facing 3 ha plot within the Ginestra vineyard, 300-350 meters above sea level, on relatively loose-packed, slightly clayey, calcareous soil. Driven by rigorous attention to detail in the vineyard and picking at optimum phenolic maturity, Grassos Vigna Casa Maté is a contemporary expression of traditional Barolo underscored by immaculate winemaking. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and typically spends 30 days on skins followed by 30 months maturation in 2500L Slavonian oak casks.