Nebbiolo is the grape variety behind the top-quality red wines of Piedmont, north-western Italy, the most notable of which are Barolo and Barbaresco. Nebbiolo wines are distinguished by their strong tannins, high acidity and distinctive scent – often described as “tar and roses”.
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Out of stockSince 1864, five generations of the Fenocchio family have been producing wine in the heart of Barolo - most of them born in the same yellow house in Monforte d’Alba, at the top of a hillside covered in Nebbiolo grapes. Claudio Fenocchio took upon his father teachings and instead of modernazing the Barolo winemaking techniques, he and with the support of his brothers decided to keep the tradition and build on it. Fenocchio has not taken up organic or biodynamic farming methods but, on the other hand, the estate never took to chemical fertilisers or herbicides, so diverse ground cover and natural predators protect the vines, which grow at their own pace. And in the winery, fermentation is similarly driven by nature and the local microflora. Technically, Claudio has found a way of producing wines which have approachable fruit when young, yet built around a strong tannic structure which does not overwhelm early on, but encourages the development of the wine over years. It is partly due to some green harvesting and careful selection, partly due to enzymatic reaction (ironically) during the long fermentation, which melds the fruit and tannin seamlessly. Barolos are aged for five months in stainless Slovenian oak and a further year in the bottle before release. steel, two years in Slovenian oak and a further year in the bottle before release. More than defining itself as traditional or modern Barolo, Giacomo Fenocchio wine is an expression of terroir.
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Giulia Negri is a young talent that goes by the nickname "Barolo girl" in the wine world. The grapes for this archetype of a modern-traditional Barolo come from the top vineyards Brunate and Serradenari, the latter is located at an altitude of up to 520 m, and the soils are clayey-sandy. It is an area with a particularly cool and breezy microclimate, which is reflected in the elegant profile of the wines. Climbing towards the top of the hill, the soils become increasingly rich in sandy veins and limestone marl, which contribute to giving Barolo an extreme expressive refinement. The high quality grapes, a work in the cellar that is very respectful of the raw material and aimed at enhancing the typical characteristics of the terroir, allow the creation of a Barolo faithful to the land of origin. Dressed to impress, savory red with a fine fragrance on the palate that doesn't deny its origin and the grape variety, it is of an almost unique elegance and freshness that allows it to be identified as a lively and completely complete top wine even when young. Further years of maturity are certainly not a mistake, because one feels impressively how the complexity increasing with the age joins the finesse and elegance already unmistakable today. One bottle for now and don't put the rest too far away in the cellar, please!
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The Tibaldi family have been grape growers for several generations in the Pocapaglia area of Piemonte. In fact Nonno Tibaldi at 86 still works in the vineyard (starting with a glass from the barrel at 6am) with his son, Stefano. The Tibaldi’s have not traditionally made wine preferring to sell their crops to local producers. Stefano had 2 daughters, Monica and Daniela, and had no expectations that they would devote their lives to wine. But eldest daughter Monica studied Oenology and decided that she was going to start to make wine from the family’s wonderful fruit. Sister Daniela soon followed. And so Cantina Tibaldi was established. I simply know them as the Tibaldi Sisters. It is not unusual to see female winemakers in charge of important vineyards. Some of Australia’s finest wines are made by women and they will tell you that they are much better suited to the role as the olfactory senses are far more developed in females. What is unusual is to see the entire wine making process managed from start to finish by two women, both in their mid twenties. It can accompany any meat. Gives its best with important cheese, savory pasta and meat dishes.