Barbaresco DOCG Reyna, Michele Chiarlo

Producer Note

Michele Chiarlo is one of Piedmont's truly great winemakers. The family owns 60 hectares of vineyard in three of the classic growing areas - Langhe, Monferrato and Gavi and have access to a further 50 hectares through long-term relationships with their growers. Michele has insisted on total quality since his first vintage in 1956, an ethos which his sons Stefano and Alberto adopt today. The Chiarlo style is highly elegant, they make complex wines that can age for decades but above all reflect their provenance - some of the finest vineyard sites in Piedmont.

Produced in the municipality of Barbaresco, the grapes for this wine come from the Cascina Minuto C.E.G., which includes approximately three hectares of Nebbiolo purely for the production of Barbaresco wine. Situated on a notable slope, the vineyard has excellent exposure to the sun. The vines are grown in a bluish-grey calcareous marl soil, with clay, which is poor in organic substances but rich in calcium and magnesium.

Winemaking

Vinification took place in temperature controlled tanks with maceration lasting for 17 to 18 days on the skins. A gentle 'shower system' of submerging the cap was used during fermentation which took place at between 27 to 32°C. Malolactic fermentation took place in tank, before the wine was racked to large oak casks for 18 months. Further refinement took place in the bottle for a minimum of six months.

Tasting Note

This elegant and refined garnet coloured wine delivers delicate, complex and refined aromas, with ethereal notes of rose petals and tea layered upon small red berried fruits. On the palate, it is silky and beautifully balanced with soft, fine tannins and remarkable length on the finish.

Serving Suggestion

Pairs well with roasted red meats, game and mushroom risotto.

Grape

Nebbiolo 100%