La Spinetta Barolo 'Vigneto Garretti' 2016

SKU
LSNE201615 UCAU
  • "..a dark and brooding wine that has a long way to travel on its evolutionary track." Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
  • "Exuberant to the core... There is a lot to like in this racy Barolo." Antonio Galloni
  • Approachable today, but would definitely benefit from some cellaring
  • 1 or more bottles
    $140.00
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Editors notes

100% Nebbiolo from vines with an average age of 35 years, grown on a calcareous, south-facing slope at an elevation of 200m. Sustainably farmed, with no use of pesticides or herbicides. Alcoholic fermentation for 10 days in temperature controlled roto-fermenters followed by malolactic fermentation in 600-litre medium-toast French oak casks (50% new and 50% one-year-old), then aged for 20 months. Transferred to stainless steel for three months before bottling with no fining or filtration.

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

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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.

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About the brand La Spinetta

La Spinetta was founded in 1977 and now spans 165 hectares between Piedmont and Tuscany. Instead of inheriting their land through generations of winemakers, the Rivettis have carefully selected their vineyards over time. All sites have a south, south-east or south-west exposure and the vines tend to have a bit of age (35-65 years). The approach in the winery may be modern but the vineyard ethos is utterly traditional: extensive year round care, extremely low yields and no use of chemical fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides. La Spinetta means “top of the hill” and refers to the location of their first cellar in Castagnole delle Lanze in Piedmont. La Spinetta’s motto is: "Making wine with passion". We’ll drink to that. "Year after year Giorgio Rivetti's Piedmont winery has earned a fame that has made it a leading ambassador of Langhe wine throughout the world, and the labels with the rhinoceros are present in the finest restaurants on all continents." - Gambero Rosso

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