Barbaresco Bricco di Neive MGA DOCG

Vineyard and terroir

Bricco di Neive is a cru in Neive whose name refers to the peak of the hill where its vineyards are situated. The 40-year-old vines grow on clay-limestone soil with SO exposure and are trained to Guyot. Yield is 6,500 kg/ha. Viticulture follows sustainable practices, and the wine carries VIVA certification.

Grapes

100% Nebbiolo.

Vinification

The grapes are harvested entirely by hand. Whole bunches are manually selected on a vibrating table and cooled with carbonic snow, limiting oxidation and substantially reducing the need for sulphur. Following destemming, the berries undergo a second manual selection on another vibrating table before gentle crushing. Screw conveyors are excluded throughout grape handling.

The must is chilled before fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats. Maceration lasts more than 20 days and employs délestage together with partial use of the submerged-cap technique in conical wooden vats.

Ageing

The wine matures for 20 months in medium-sized 2,500-litre oak casks.

Technical data

Vintage 2021 has 14.5% alcohol. Winemaker: Paolo Giacosa.

Tasting profile

Deep ruby red with garnet highlights. The broad, intense bouquet combines blackberry, liquorice, violets, tobacco, spices and faded roses, retaining a clearly recognizable Nebbiolo character. The palate is fine and velvety, medium- to full-bodied and well balanced, with silky tannins and a long, elegant finish. Its style combines austerity with elegance.

Serving and pairing

Serve at 16–18 °C. Pair with game, roasts, mature cheeses and truffle dishes; it can also be enjoyed after dinner. Cellaring potential is 15–20 years.

Vintage notes

The 2021 season began with a long, mild winter and limited rainfall. Budbreak started in early April and was followed by night frosts; the month closed with below-average temperatures and evenly distributed rain. May remained cool and frequently rainy, while June and July were hot and dry. Vine development lagged behind 2020, and August brought no heat waves. The broader harvest began on 29 August with the first Alta Langa parcel and then continued regularly across the other varieties. Yields were below average, while the healthy grapes achieved full ripeness with unexpectedly balanced acidity.

Label / history

The name Bricco di Neive derives from the summit of the hill where the vineyards lie. The wine is presented as an expression of the estate’s “Piemontese Attitude,” associated with complexity, dedication and perseverance.