Vineyard and terroir

Perno is situated in the municipality of Monforte d’Alba at 395 m above sea level, with a southern exposure. The vineyard was planted in 1980 at 4,200 vines per hectare. The vines are trellised and Guyot-pruned.

The geological formation consists of S. Agata fossil marls: grey-blue marls with varying amounts of sand and local sandy-conglomeratic intercalations. The hillside soil is a fine, calcareous Typic Ustorthent. Grape yield is 8,000 kg/ha, corresponding to a wine yield of 5,200 L/ha.

Grapes

100% Nebbiolo from the Barolo DOCG area.

Vinification

The late-ripening Nebbiolo is harvested between late September and the first ten days of October. The grapes are destemmed and crushed, then transferred to temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. Alcoholic fermentation and maceration last at least one week at 28–30°C. After racking, the wine remains on its lees for at least two months at 20–22°C while malolactic fermentation is completed.

Ageing

Maturation lasts approximately 38 months and is partly conducted in wooden barrels. The wine is bottled three years after harvest and undergoes further cellar storage before release, although the minimum bottle-ageing period is not specified.

Tasting profile

Garnet red with orange reflections. The bouquet is intense, combining wood, ripe fruit and spice. The palate is full and persistent, with austere tannins that remain neither bitter nor excessively drying. Its elegance and longevity are associated with the vineyard’s exposure, climate and soil.