Barbaresco is celebrated as the reigning Queen to Barolo’s King of Italian wines. With elegance, fragrance and grace that can rival great red Burgundy, Barbaresco captures the world-class finesse and classic structure we love from Nebbiolo.
Today’s example from Ronchi is handcrafted by its fourth-generation and represents incredible quality at a price that rarely exists on the market. The 2012 vintage has turned out to be a spectacular year across the board, and this stunning wine is no exception. Ready to drink now, it will blossom into an even greater beauty with another decade in the cellar. If you appreciate fine Nebbiolo, this is one of the best values we’ve offered this year.
The Rocca Family has been nurturing the fields of their Ronchi Estate since the late 19th century. The family continues to live on the estate amidst the verdant amphitheater of vines. Today, winemaker Giancarlo Rocca tends his vineyards by hand in the same traditional manner as his great-grandfather, Carlo Rocca, did before him. Carlo was a genuine vigneron who sold his bounty to a few large wineries in Barbaresco. By the 1950’s, the family transitioned to domaine bottling and has continued to craft wine from their pristine vineyards ever since.
With roughly 5.5 hectares of vines, most of Ronchi’s vines lie near the southern boundary of Barbaresco. Nestled between Montestefano to the north and Moccagatta to the south, this advantageously situated site offers deep complexity, soft tannins, a silken mouth feel and delicate perfume that only the best Barbaresco can capture. Ronchi’s vines range in age from 15 to 40 years old; Giancarlo tends and harvests entirely by hand, resulting in pristine fruit that represents a snapshot of Barbaresco in its purest form. Once the fruit reaches the cellar, the grapes are gently vinified with natural yeasts for 8-10 days in a combination of tank and barrel. The finished product reveals a wine of finesse and grace paired with soft yet persistent tannins that deliver the perfect balance we search for in classic Barbaresco.
The 2012 Ronchi Barbaresco displays a pale garnet red core with slight orange and amber rim variation, which is consistent with a young Nebbiolo. Clean and pure classic aromatics of freshly picked strawberry, dried red cherry, pomegranate and dried orange peel are laced with fennel, anise, wet roses, tobacco, a touch of leather and that beautiful, high-toned perfume. The palate is medium-plus in body and delivers the ideal marriage of persistent Nebbiolo structure with soft tannins and layers of complex flavors. It starts with bright strawberry, cherry, red plum, orange peel, leather, tea leaf, tobacco and anise then evolves into a seemingly never-ending finish that boasts very fine, crushed stony minerality. This wine is exquisite in its youth but will reach its golden years around 2018 and 2022. To enjoy now, decant for one hour and serve in Burgundy stems at 60-65 degrees. For a sensory jaunt to Piedmont, try this
braised beef ragu with pappardelle. Enjoy!
