Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The grapes come from the San Defendente growing area in Canale. The vines have south and southwest exposure and grow in sandy-loamy soil. Vine age ranges from 15 to 30 years, and the stated yield is 7,000 kg/ha. The vineyard is trained to Guyot and managed according to sustainable-viticulture practices.
Grapes
100% Barbera. Paolo Giacosa is the winemaker.
Vinification
The crop is harvested entirely by hand. Whole bunches are manually selected on a vibrating table and chilled with carbonic snow to limit oxidation and substantially reduce sulphur use. Following destemming, the berries undergo a second manual selection on another vibrating table before gentle crushing. Screw conveyors are excluded throughout grape handling to minimize mechanical stress.
The must is chilled before controlled-temperature fermentation in stainless-steel vats and conical oak vats. Maceration lasts more than 18 days and incorporates délestage together with partial use of the submerged-cap technique.
Ageing
The wine matures for 18 months, principally in medium-sized oak casks of 2,500–4,000 L, with a small portion aged in barriques and tonneaux. The oak ageing softens the wine’s acidity while retaining its varietal character.
Technical data
- Vintage: 2020
- Alcohol: 14.5% vol.
- Yield: 7,000 kg/ha
- Harvest: entirely by hand
- Training system: Guyot
- Farming: sustainable viticulture
Tasting profile
Deep ruby red with characteristic purple reflections. The broad, complex and vinous bouquet combines violet, cherry, currant, spices and tobacco, with notable aromatic persistence. The palate is rich in currant flavours, fresh and velvety, with medium-to-full body, fine texture and silky acidity moderated by oak ageing. Its style is dry, structured and distinctly oak-matured, with an appealing richness of red-fruit flavour.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 16–18 °C. Pair with pasta, risotto, barbecue, cheese or salami. The expected cellaring period is 8–10 years.
Vintage notes
The 2020 season began with a mild winter, followed by fine, relatively dry weather in March and April. Rain during May and June temporarily slowed vegetative growth before conditions returned to balance. The estate began its harvest on 21 August with Alta Langa. Barbera and Nebbiolo ripening slowed before resuming in the second half of September. The vintage produced wines distinguished by intense, elegant aromas and good balance.
