Ettore Germano Serralunga d'Alba Barolo 2014

SKU
ETBA201410 UCAU
  • 92 Points, Decanter
  • Ideal with hearty red meat dishes and medium or mature cheeses.
  • Sourced from a premium private cellar
  • 1 or more bottles
    $59.99
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  • Decanter
    92 points

Editors notes

The nose is fruity, racy and offers a fine intensity as well as elegance. It reveals notes of red berries, small wild red fruits and touches of cassis, bush / garrigue combined with a discreet hint of balsamic, flowers and very discreet hints of spices, nutmeg as well as a very discreet hint of gray pepper. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, quite frank and offers a good definition, suavity, precision, straightness, a small racy mineral frame, precision as well as a good structure. On the palate this wine expresses notes of red berries, small wild red fruits and small notes of cassis associated with touches of black cherry, violet, Zan and very discreet hints of spices and a very discreet hint of garrigue / rosemary. Tannins are well-built, fine, very slightly tight and very discreetly dry. Good length. There are a very discreet hint of ripe almond and chocolate on the finish / persistence.

Details

Tasting Profile

  • Light (Light)
    Full (Full)
  • Low Tannin (Low Tannin)
    Tannic (Tannic)
  • Sweet (Sweet)
    Dry (Dry)
  • Low Acidity (Low Acidity)
    High Acidity (High Acidity)
  • Aroma
    • Earthy
    • Roses
    • Tar
  • Palate
    • Floral
    • Savoury
    • Tar

Food Pairings

  • Game
  • Pork
  • Red Meat

Critic Scores & reviews

  • Decanter

    92
    "Cerretta is a large vineyard with different expositions, so styles and qualities can vary. Germano has produced a wine of charm rather than density. The nose is stylish, with delicate and perfumed raspberry aromas. Sleek and fresh, this has poise and elegance, with finely tuned tannins and good acidity. It's not the weightiest style, but has brightness and balance, and will age well. Long."

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Locations

Italy

Italy has some of the oldest wine production methods in the world and almost every part of the country is planted under vine. From the Alps in the north to the very southernmost parts of Sicily where Africa is almost in sight, wine is successfully cultivated. In addition to the latitude covered, Italy's many mountains and hills provide a plethora of altitudes for grape growing in various soils and micro-climates. The extensive coastlines along the peninsula that is Italy provide maritime climates for the coastal wine-growing areas. Over 350 grape varieties are 'authorised' in Italy, though up to 550 varieties are thought to be grown.

The classification system of Italian wines has four classes, with the intention of defining a wine's origin a quality. Two of these classes are table wines, whilst DOC and DOCG fall under the EU quality wine produced in a specific region category. Vino da Tavola (VDT) means that the wine comes from Italy. Most of these wines are generally basic table wines that are consumed domestically. Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) denotes a more specific region within Italy, and the resultant will be of higher quality than simple table wines, but won't conform to the rules required for higher certification. Both Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) are regionally more specific than IGT, and have stricter rules regarding the grape varieties grown, yields per hectare, minimum alcohol levels and so on. The major difference between DOC and DOCG is that the latter has to undergo a blind-tasting session to ensure the highest quality is achieved. Italy has 32 DOCG appelations, 311 DOC appelations and 120 IGT zones.

Key regions include Piedmont, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Veneto, Sicily and Sardinia. Common white varieties grown are Pinot Grigio, Arneis, Vermentino, Verdicchio, Fiano and Moscato. The red varieties grown the most are Sangiovese, Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Primitivo, Nero d'Avola and Corvina.

Piedmont

Piedmont (Piemonte in Italian) is probably the finest wine region in all of Italy, and has laid claim to this since Roman times. It has a continental climate influenced by the surrounding Alps and Ligurian Apennines, and is located in the north-west of Italy, bordering both France and Switzerland.

Piedmont has only 1% of the total vineyards of Bordeaux and 15% that of Burgundy. So while a top Chateaux may produce upwards of 35,000 cases a year, leading Barolo producers will often make only 800 cases. More than half of its vineyards are registered with DOC designations and many are in the Apennine or Alpine foothills, from 300-600m above sea level. Most of the wines are produced by smaller family estates rather than larger holdings.

Piedmont has 46 different DOC and four DOCG regions, and produces the largest number of well known, world-recognized, prize-winning wines. The most famous would have to be Barolo or Barbaresco, whose power comes from the Nebbiolo grape variety. The most widely planted red variety is Barbera although Dolcetto, Muscat, Shiraz and Bonarda are also produced.

The white variety most well known is Moscato, which is often made into frizzante (bubbly) wines known as Asti. Cortese is made into the popular Gavi wines, and smaller amounts of Chardonnay and high quality Sparkling are also produced in the far north of Piedmont.

Barolo

Situated in the picturesque rolling hills of Piedmont, Italy, just south of the historic town of Alba, lies the renowned appellation of 'Barolo'. Steeped in tradition and history, this now DOCG status region is widely regarded as one of Italy's finest wine-producing areas, thanks to its production of exceptional red wines made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes.

Barolo wines are famed for their complex flavor profiles, firm tannins, and beguiling aromas, earning them the coveted title of ‘the King of Wines’ for centuries. While the DOCG defines winemaking practices, there are two distinct styles that winemakers tend to prefer - a traditional style and a modern style.

The region boasts two primary soil types - the sandy Tortonian marl, which tends to produce softer wines with a more delicate character, and the Helvetian sandstone clay, which typically gives rise to more robust, powerful wines. The continental climate of the area, characterized by a long summer and late autumn, provides an ideal environment for growing the fickle Nebbiolo grape to perfect ripeness, resulting in wines of unparalleled quality and character.

The winemaking history of Barolo can be traced back centuries, and the region's unique terroir, combined with the expertise of its winemakers, has resulted in the creation of some of Italy's most sought-after and collectible wines. Barolo wines are a perfect pairing with rich, hearty dishes, particularly those featuring truffles or wild game, and are a must-try for any serious wine lover.

In addition to producing world-class Barolo wines, the region is also renowned for its production of other fine wines, including Barbaresco, Dolcetto, and Barbera, all of which showcase the unique character and terroir of this remarkable wine-growing region. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or simply looking to explore one of Italy's most captivating regions, Barolo is an unforgettable destination that is sure to delight and inspire.

About the brand Ettore Germano

From the Serralunga d’Alba side of Barolo, the wines of Sergio Germano are receiving increasing acclaim and standing in the Barolo hierarchy. Sergio is firmly rooted in the traditional winemaking of the region, through his years studying at the School of Oenology in Alba, followed by making wines at the region's largest winery; Fontafredda. He uses the techniques that he learned to improve the quality of the wines he producers. He works with his wife Elena from viticultural to winemaking aspects, and the pair also look after sales and distribution with a small team. Sergio has the privilege to have vineyards in the Crus of Cerretta and Prapo, he also recently inherited a share of the legendary Vigna Rionda vineyard, considered to be one of the greatest Barolo vineyards. The wines speak for themselves and the developments in the vineyards and wineries are continually pushing quality to ever greater heights.

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