Producer:
Grape Variety:
100% Nebbiolo
Tasting Note:
Barbaresco Montestefano: a Barbaresco that tastes a little "Barolo-esque", because this cru is geologically similar to some of the Barolo crus, with Marne Blu (blue clay) being found in the soil (similar to the Pomerol area and in a famous Bolgheri vineyard), giving it structure and depth. The wine ferments in steel tanks and then matures for 18-20 months in older barriques and in 500-litre tonneaux. After this period the wine is transferred to neutral containers (e.g. cement or steel tanks) for 4-5 months so that "it can find itself". Before the wine is put on the market it is aged in the bottle for a further 7-8 months. The result is a wine that will still be wonderful in 20 or 30 years. As the Montestefano vineyard is only 1 hectare in size and its vines are over 50 years old, only about 1000 bottles are produced per year. Aromas of underbrush, camphor and pressed rose form the subtle nose. On the buffed palate, close-grained drying tannins accompany dried cherry, coconut and a hint of roasted coffee bean before a rather short astringent finish.
Vinification:
In 2009, Guido Rivella, the oenologist of Gaja for the last 40 years started to produce his own wine and the wine is wondeful. 12,500 bottles were produced annually from his own 3.5 hectares using Organic Viticulture.
Scores:
91 Points Antonio Galloni