Ca' del Baio - Barbaresco Vallegrande

3/3 - Gambero Rosso
93 points - James Suckling
93 points - Vinous

Vallegrande is a classic single-vineyard wine made exclusively from Nebbiolo grapes from the vineyard of the same name.

As soon as it enters the glass, you know that a great Barbaresco experience is on the way; the deep red color and the delicious notes of chocolate and coffee emphasize Vallegrande's potential.

Despite the intense, dark aroma, the taste is refined and delicate. Spicy notes of anise, cherry and blackcurrant blend with cocoa in a rich explosion of flavor that leads to a long, velvety aftertaste.

A good Barbaresco requires exquisite grapes. In the Vallegrande field, the Nebbiolo grapes have almost optimal conditions; the west-facing field is shielded from the worst heat of the Tuscan summer, which results in a longer ripening process and a later harvest than usual, as the harvest at Vallegrande is usually not until the end of September/beginning of October.

The vines from 2000, 1985 and 1971 are carefully picked by hand and after an initial fermentation in steel tanks, Barbaresco Vallegrande is aged for 30 months in large Slavonian oak barrels. After bottling, Vallegrande 'rests' for 6 months in the cellar before being sent out to wine lovers.

Vallegrande will develop over the next 10-15 years, but is already 3 years from the harvest year a great experience!

As is the case with all good Barbareso, Vallegrande almost calls for a good meal; good meat dishes, preferably from Italian cuisine, but also white or red mold cheese.
Serve it in large glasses at 18 degrees and decant it 1 hour before serving.

Grape type: 100% Nebbiolo
Alcohol: 14%
Contents: 75 cl
Year: 2014