About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Barolo Mosconi is made from the oldest vineyard within the Mosconi property in Borgata Conterni, Monforte d’Alba. The 2010 technical sheet identifies a cadastral area of 0.8 ha and a south-southeast exposure.
The vineyard lies at approximately 400 m above sea level; the 2010 technical sheet gives the more specific figure of 370 m. Its older Helvetian terrain consists of calcareous-clayey marl, generally greyish in colour, alternating with siliceous sandstone. In some places, calcium carbonate and iron lend the soil warmer, slightly pink tones. The 2010 sheet classifies the soil as calcareous clay of Tertiary–Miocene origin.
Winter pruning is short and gentle, followed by tying and spring shoot thinning. Excess bunches are removed after fruit set to reduce yields. Vineyard work, harvesting, grape selection and sorting are carried out by hand. The estate entered organic conversion in 2011.
Grapes
Nebbiolo, represented by the Michet and Lampia subvarieties.
Vinification
For the 2010 vintage, alcoholic fermentation took place under an emerged cap in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. Frequent pump-overs and punch-downs were performed during fermentation. The wine was vinified in the estate’s cellars in Barolo.
Ageing
The general élevage is at least two years in lightly toasted small French-oak barrels, followed by approximately one year in bottle. The 2010 technical sheet records maturation in lightly toasted 2,000 L French-oak vessels, of which 30% were new, followed by one year in bottle. Bottling of the 2010 vintage took place on 17–19 September 2013.
Technical data
For the 2010 vintage:
- Alcohol: 14.79% vol.
- Total acidity: 6.18 g/L
- pH: 3.71
- Dry extract: 31.1 g/L
- Total sulphur dioxide: 80 mg/L
- Production: 3,700 bottles of 750 ml
Tasting profile
The general profile combines an intense brownish-red to vivid garnet colour with an open bouquet of ripe fruit, flowers and gentle spice. It is firm, dry and velvety on the palate, with imposing structure, harmony, fullness and persistence.
The 2010 is clear, vivid garnet in colour. Citrus and pastry aromas lead to a dry, savoury and harmonious palate that is supple yet austere, full-bodied and notably persistent through its tannins.
Serving and pairing
Pair with furred game, braised meats and other deeply flavoured red-meat dishes, or mature cheeses. Its structure is suited to extended ageing.
Vintage notes
The 2010 growing season began with a particularly long winter, delaying budbreak and the subsequent phenological stages. Abundant rain increased fungal pressure and further slowed ripening. Close monitoring, timely vineyard work and crop thinning helped preserve grape quality.
January was cold and grey, generally below 0°C. Early February reached −14°C, while its latter part brought frequent precipitation and peaks of 15°C. March warmed markedly, and April was mild, unusually dry and at times above 20°C, peaking at 28°C on 26 April. Temperatures fell sharply during the rainy first half of May, before rising to approximately 30°C; heavy rain returned at month’s end. June remained unstable and wet until temperatures exceeded 34°C late in the month. July was consistently hot until cool northwesterly winds reduced temperatures to 10°C on 24 July. August alternated between warm and cool periods with frequent rain. Early September was summery, but temperatures later fell as low as 4.5°C, with rain at the end of the month; 23–24 September were notably hot and dry. Warm, favourable conditions returned at the beginning of October, and the Mosconi harvest commenced on 13 October.