GOLDEN MEDALS BY FRENCH GUIDE FOR BOTH BAROLO CRUS

Gilbert & Gaillard awarded the 2012 Bussia and 2012 Bricco delle Viole 93/100, placing both above the guide’s threshold for gold medals. The result marked the first vintage of Bricco delle Viole, vinified separately from estate Nebbiolo beside the winery at Vergne and scheduled for release in 2016.

The inaugural release carried a label by Pierflavio Gallina celebrating the UNESCO-listed vineyard landscape. The article traced the Bricco delle Viole name to an earlier Sylla Sebaste blend of Barbera and Nebbiolo, which inspired the local street name and later that of the MGA. Fabrizio Merlo described the cru as a wine for the best vintages, made with a preliminary cold skin maceration followed by alcoholic fermentation and extended maturation in 25 hl casks. Bricco delle Viole joined Bussia as the estate’s named Barolo expression.