Vietti Barolo DOCG “Ravera” 2018

The grapes for this wine are grown in the single vineyard site Ravera in Novello. The roughly 3 hectares owned by Vietti are located on a wonderful hillside with a southwestern exposure. The soil is calcareous clayey with Sant’Agata’s marls. The grapevines have an average age 30 years with the oldest part planted in 1935. Using the Guyot trellis system, they are grown with a density of about 4,500 plants per hectare.

Hand-picked on October 6th, 2018, the grapes have been destemmed and gently crushed before bringing them into stainless steel tanks for the alcoholic fermentation. They have spent between four to five weeks in contact with the skins. This time includes the pre- and post-fermentation maceration, using the traditional submerged cap method. Slow malolactic fermentation in large casks until late spring. The wine spends over a year on its fine lees without racking.

The wine has been aged for 32 months in large oak casks. It was bottled without filtration.

Tasting Note: Intense garnet red colour. A rather austere nose in the beginning, paired with complex floral and fruity notes that open in the glass after a little while. Hints of red fruit, mineral and spicy nuances. Quite intense on the palate, with ripe red fruit sensations. Firm, compact tannins make this a very classic wine. Vibrant, vertical acidity. Extremely elegant and refined. Long lasting aftertaste.

Food pairings: Game, red meats, seasoned cheeses.