Sottimano | Piemonte | Barbaresco Riserva DOCG | 2013 | 750ml

Description

Product description for Sottimano Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013

Sebastian Bordthäuser: The fist in a velvet glove strikes from the very first sip. The full broadside of exquisite tannins of the finest calibration sets the bar high without letting up even a hint. Underpinned by rich, crystal-clear fruit, it fills the mouth, the tannins are fleshy and firm; you could chew on it for hours. The spicy fruit frame is reminiscent of raw porcini mushrooms, white pepper gives it depth with shimmering ethereality, and the formative, ripe acidity laces it in the finest thread of the best provenance. All of this pulsates across the palate with such nonchalance that it is a pure joy. A Riserva in the best James Bond style, or: the Sean Connery memorial Barbaresco. The 2013 Barbaresco Riserva is a cuvée from the oldest southeast-facing plots in the Cottà and Pajorè vineyards. Budbreak on the vines, some up to 75 years old, was about two weeks behind average in 2013. A cold and wet April and May followed, before the vines caught up somewhat in time for flowering. However, the vines were unable to fully make up for the delay over the summer, so they were left to ripen fully until October. Green harvesting and conscientious daily work in the vineyard were essential for obtaining the best harvest material. From the second half of September, warm days with cool nights continued until the harvest in October, ensuring perfect grapes for a classic vintage with powerful, complexly structured wines of intense colour and lively acidity, offering the best prospects for further development in the bottle. The 2013 Barbaresco Riserva was left on the skins for 45 days and began spontaneous fermentation, followed by three months of daily pigeage. It underwent malolactic fermentation in large French oak barrels, then matured for 36 months in wooden vats of varying sizes containing only 25% new oak (75% up to four new oak barrels) before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Colour

Dark ruby red with garnet reflections.

Nose

The 2013 Barbaresco Riserva from Sottimano needs air, a suitable decanter, and patience. And then: Ramba Zamba! Ambrosial Nebbiolo nectar, first cabin. The nose is practically bursting with joie de vivre: plums, black cherries, mulberries, and dried figs take over the fruity aspects, while the ethereal department takes care of the spiritual aspects. Bergamot, vetiver, and sandalwood, as well as white pepper and floral accents, pack a punch and unmistakably call for those large, expensive glasses that you so hate to polish. That’s exactly what they’re for.

Palate

The fist in a velvet glove strikes right from the start. The full broadside of exquisite tannins of the finest calibration sets the bar high without letting up even a tad. Underpinned by rich, crystal-clear fruit, it fills the mouth; the tannins are fleshy and firm to the bite; you could chew on it for hours. The spicy-framed fruit is reminiscent of raw porcini mushrooms, white pepper gives it depth with shimmering ethereality, and the formative, ripe acidity laces it in the finest thread of the best provenance. All of this pulsates across the palate with such nonchalance that it is a pure joy. A Riserva in the best James Bond style or: the Sean Connery memorial Barbaresco.

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Keywords: Sottimano Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 Piemonte Italy

Producer website: http://www.sottimano.it/