2018 Marchesi di Barolo Barbera d’Alba “Ruvei”, Piedmont, Italy

ABOUT THIS WINE

The grapes used in producing this wine come exclusively from vineyards located in heart of the production of Barolo, Barbaresco and Nebbiolo d’Alba. Production code allows to make Barbera d’Alba wine in the assembly with a small percentage (up to 15%) of Nebbiolo d’Alba, in order to increase finesse and elegance. Cantine Marchesi di Barolo makes the most of this opportunity, carefully selecting vineyards positions and paying attention to perfect ripening of the grapes, the final wine is softer with more structure and low acidity. The vines are grown with Guyot (VSP trellised) system on hills with favorable inclines and terrains that are prevalently calcareous and clayey and alternating with layers of whitish marl.

Grapes are collected exclusively by hand, quickly brought to the cellar for and soft pressing. The grapes undergo fermentation at a controlled temperature in thermo- conditioned vats. Maceration of the skins lasts for eight days with frequent pump-overs. The wine is aged for approximately 6 months in large Slovenian oak casks.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

The Marchesi di Barolo estate encompasses approximately 430 acres of vineyards in the Langhe, some of the finest in Piedmont, including the prestigious Cannubi cru. The cellars are located in the village of Barolo, overlooking the Renaissance castle of the Marchesi Falletti di Barolo.

Barolo as we know it today was first made in the early 19th century by the Marchese Carlo Tancredi Falletti di Barolo and his wife, Giulia. The wine from their estate soon became known as “the wine from Barolo”, served at important diplomatic and royal functions. The Marchesi had no children and following the death of the couple, the Marchesi di Barolo dynasty was left without an heir. Per the wishes of Marchesa Giulia, a great philanthropist, the family assets were donated to charity and a non-profit foundation was created in their name, “Opera Pia Barolo”, helping the most needy of nearby Torino. The sales of wine from their Barolo vineyards continue to fund the charity, which still exists today. In 1929, local winemaker, Pietro Abbona purchased the cellars formerly owned by the Marchesi and eventually acquired all their vineyard holdings as well.

Today, Marchesi di Barolo remains a family business. Since 2006, the estate has been under the direction of Pietro’s great-grandson and fifth-generation winemaker, Ernesto Abbona and his wife Anna, who have inherited a longstanding winemaking tradition and a love of the vineyards and its wines.