Sottimano | Piemonte | Fausoni, Barbaresco DOCG | 2019 | 750ml

Description

Product description for Sottimano Fausoni, Barbaresco DOCG 2019

Info

Sebastian Bordthäuser, May 6, 2021: The Azienda Agricola Sottimano was purchased by Rino Sottimano in the 1960s and is located in the heart of the Cottà vineyard. In the following years, it was gradually expanded to include the Crus Currá, Fausoni, Basarin, and Pajoré. Today, the business is run by son Andrea and his sisters Elena and Claudia. Located in the triangle formed by Barbaresco, Neive, and Treiso, Sottimano has been working according to biodynamic guidelines for years to capture the character of the five Crus as precisely as possible in the bottle. The Cru Fausoni is located just outside Neive and typically produces wines with a good balance of elegance, fragrant aromas, and profound concentration. The vineyard, with just 1.5 hectares, is Sottimano’s smallest Cru and has the youngest vineyards, with approximately 45-year-old vines facing southwest. Fermentation always takes place spontaneously with the wine’s own yeasts; maceration typically lasts 25 days, and malolactic fermentation also takes place spontaneously in French oak. The wines mature for 24 months in barrels (15% new wood, the remainder in second to fourth-fill barrels), including 12 months on the lees. The use of wood in winemaking was modernized with the 2014 vintage, making the wines more accessible, with immense vibration and depth, even in their youth. The wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Colour

Sparkling brick red with violet reflections and a rusty-light rim.

Nose

At the beginning, the 2019 Barbaresco Fausoni captivates with its earthy, spicy character. There are ethereal notes that play brilliantly with its forest aromas. Undergrowth, forest floor, and pine bark stand alongside some tree resin, pine needles, and cones. A hint of pine also comes through. Juniper and black pepper lend it plenty of spice. The fruit initially struggles to counteract these dominant nuances, but with patience, it becomes increasingly noticeable. Plum, elderberry, and raspberry now slowly gain momentum.

Palate

The first sip demonstrates once again that Nebbiolo—like Pinot Noir—must be served correctly to unfold its full elegance. It flows ramrod straight. The tannin is only moderately active and very finely integrated. The Barbaresco Fausoni appears quite compact, but thrives on a generous minerality. No fruit sweetness or other distractions counteract this stony, cool impression. The fruit slowly transforms towards sweet and sour cherry. The spicy and ethereal nuances of the nose are currently only very subtly perceptible in the aftertaste.

Copyright Vinaturel 2025

Keywords: Sottimano Fausoni, Barbaresco DOCG 2019 Piemonte Italy

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