2005 Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo Piedmont Italy

2005 Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo Piedmont Italy

(suggested retail price $15.99-$18.99)

History: It all started in 1894 with Domizio Cavazza, who realized the uniqueness of the Nebbiolo grape growing on the hills of Barbaresco. He gathered a few producers and created one of the first cooperatives to produce Barbaresco, called “Cantine Sociali”. The Cantine was closed in the 20’s for political reasons forcing the small growers to sell their wines in bulk to complement Barolo’s wines and to make Piedmont table wines. In 1958, recognizing that the only way the small properties could survive was by again joining their efforts, the priest of the village of Barbaresco gathered together nineteen small growers and founded the Produttori del Barbaresco. The first three vintages were made in the church basement, then in the winery built across the square where the Produttori is still located. Reunited once again after being separated during the fascist regime in the 20’s, the small growers continued the work started and inspired by Domizio Cavazza in 1894, producing only Barbaresco wine and enhancing both the reputation of the wine and the village. The proud past of Barbaresco and the dedication of its creators have made the Produttori one of the greatest producers of this renowned Piedmont area.

Present: Produttori del Barbaresco, founded in 1958, now has 56 members and 100 hectares (250 acres) of Nebbiolo vineyards in the Barbaresco appellation, which is almost 1/6 of the vineyards of the area. Each family is in full control of its land, growing Nebbiolo grapes with experienced skill and dedication acquired over the last 100 years of winemaking. The winery produces high quality Barbaresco D.O.C.G. wines, from a blend of Nebbiolo grapes harvested in different vineyards, and a simpler Nebbiolo Langhe suited for earlier consumption. In great vintages, nine single-vineyard Barbarescos are produced from nine classic premium sites within the Barbaresco village boundaries: Asili, Rabajà, Pora, Montestefano, Ovello, Pajé, Montefico, Moccagatta and Rio Sordo. These are the geographical names of sites where Nebbiolo grapes have always been cultivated. The names of the vineyards, the total number of bottles produced, and the names of the owners of the vineyards are marked on the labels. In a good vintage they are divided among Barbaresco (40 %), single-vineyard Barbarescos (40%) and Nebbiolo Langhe (20%).

Description: Langhe Nebbiolo is produced every year; it ranges from 10 to 30% of the total production depending on the quality of the vintage (the better the vintage the less Nebbiolo is produced). It is a second label for the Barbaresco and it is made with the grapes from young vines or those vineyards which produced a less intense and concentrated juice. It does have the quality standard to be a Barbaresco, but the winery declassifies it in order to sell it younger and maintain the Barbaresco quality as high as possible. The result is an extraordinarily balanced and concentrated wine with great acidity that carries the fruit through the finish and adds brightness to the wine. The nose boasts intense wild berries and red cherry aromas. The palate is fresh, dense and juicy and red fruit flavors linger for a while in the silky finish. Very approachable now, this wine may benefit from 2-4 years cellaring.

Food Pairing: enjoy it with rosemary-flavored roasted lamb, garlic and parsley sautéed mushrooms.

Info taken from their www.produttoridelbarbaresco.com

LeDom du Vin