2021 Barbaresco
Andrea Sottimano's assessment of the 2021 in Barbaresco is quoted by Monica Larner in her article about the vintage for RobertParker.com: – 'This is one of the best vintages ever. There was plenty of snow in the winter like you see in the best vintages. The peak summer months never got too hot, and we had to wear sweaters when eating outdoors at night. Harvest started late on my birthday, October 24th... a new kind of classic vintage.'
Focusing in on our producers Cigliuti & Sottimano, it becomes very evident that both have created one of their finest vintages to date. Indeed, both have achieved their highest scores yet from Antonio Galloni. Having tasted them ourselves, we would heartily agree. They are stunning!
We're also highlighting the last two vintages of Sottimano's top Cru, 'Currá', which is always released later than the others. Monica Larner's note on the 2019 is as enthusiastic as you'd expect: – "Released later than the other Barbarescos in this portfolio, the Sottimano 2019 Barbaresco Currá brings the intensity up a notch and not just in terms of dark fruit and cassis. The wine's mineral profile is more pronounced and, in careful moderation, so is the oak toast and spice delivery. There are more distinct elements here, all played forward with great intensity, that ultimately reach a place of excellent balance and endurance. Sadly, only 2,000 bottles emerged from this 1.6-hectare vineyard site in Neive. This is a portfolio of excellent wines from a certified organic producer in Neive, but Sottimano's 2019 Barbaresco Currá stands out as exceptional."
If you have any questions about the wines or would like to place an order, please email your account manager or privateclients@leaandsandeman.co.uk.
REVIEWS
Antonio Galloni – Vinous
'Now that most of the wines have been released, the early promise of 2021 is no longer a question of potential but of reality. These are vivid, exceptionally beautiful wines that show the heights Nebbiolo can reach.'
Monica Larner – RobertParker.com
'The 2021 vintage of Barolo and Barbaresco is one for collectors. This excellent vintage has the fruit intensity, acidity and tannic structure to withstand long cellar aging. The wines offer beautiful elegance and complexity today and promising evolution for tomorrow. The 2021 vintage can be grouped with 2001, 2010 and 2016 as one of the best since the start of the new millennium.'
Cigliuti
Sisters Claudia and Silvia Cigliuti took over the running of this vineyard from their father Renato. He was the first member of the family to begin bottling his own wine, back in 1964, roughly the same time as other pioneers in the region like Giacosa, but the family can trace its roots on this land back to the late eighteenth century.Most of the vineyard and the winery is on the Serraboella hill, looking over Neive from the east, and it is the Barbaresco Serraboella which is the flagship wine of the estate. This hill, composed of calcareous marl and tufa soils, gives classic wines which combine the textural finesse of clay and the length and longevity of wines from limestone. The vineyards are tended by the family, by hand, with low yields to ensure full ripeness every year.
2021 BARBARESCO Vie Erte Cigliuti
The 2021 Barbaresco Bricco di Neive Vie Erte is superb. Bright red cherry fruit, chalk, mint, white pepper and crushed rocks all race out of the glass. This vibrant, sinewy Barbaresco has so much toThe 2021 Barbaresco Bricco di Neive Vie Erte is superb. Bright red cherry fruit, chalk, mint, white pepper and crushed rocks all race out of the glass. This vibrant, sinewy Barbaresco has so much to offer. Its energy is remarkable. The intensely palate-staining mineral finish is a thing of beauty. All the 2021 needs is time. This is super-classic Nebbiolo from Barbaresco. Drinking range: 2025 - 2036 Rating: 94+ Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Sept 2024)
In Bond
2021 BARBARESCO Serraboella Cigliuti
A beam of pure cherry and raspberry fruit signals this supple yet firmly structured red. Lithe and vibrant, with terrific balance and an aftertaste that picks up eucalyptus and spice flavors. ThoughA beam of pure cherry and raspberry fruit signals this supple yet firmly structured red. Lithe and vibrant, with terrific balance and an aftertaste that picks up eucalyptus and spice flavors. Though approachable now, this should be even better in two to three years. Best from 2027 through 2042 Drinking range: 2027 - 2042 Rating: 94 Bruce Sanderson, The Wine Spectator (Nov 2024)
In Bond
In Bond
Sottimano
Andrea Sottimano and his two sisters, Elena and Claudia are now firmly at the helm here and this exquisite estate continues to make finer and finer wines - some of the very best in Barbaresco. This sixteen hectare estate is based in the Cotta' region of Barbaresco, and the Sottimano family have over the years bought outstanding vineyards in the 'crus' of Currà, Cottà, Fausoni and Pajore. In the vineyard they work organically and limit yields to increase quality. The winemaking is as low-intervention as possible, using only natural yeasts and then the wines are bottled without filtering or fining. All of these 'crus' are given exactly the same élevage, so as to allow the individual 'terroirs' to express their character. Terroir expression is the target here - and these amazing wines are as much an education as a joy to drink.There are five different crus - each with very specific attributes where they produce their distinctly different Barbarescos. The latest edition is Basarin, with a mixture of clay, limestone and sand. It sits at about four hundred metres above sea level. It makes for wines that are always very elegant, refined, tannins are silky and softer, Basarin tends to be the most approachable of all the wines.
Fausoni, on sand and clay, makes wines that are always very elegant - mint, liquorice and little red fruits. This is in the historical part of Neive.
Cottà, on limestone with clay is one of the oldest cru in Barbaresco, the family's vines are very old here (fifty years and older) and the colour of the wine is just a little bit lighter than other vineyards (because of the clay), but they have a very distinctive nose of dark fruits and mint, a great elegance and mineral tannins.
Pajore is almost entirely on limestone with just a little clay. This is the highest vineyard of all, at 420 metres above sea level. The vines are very old, and it is always the most mineral and elegant of the four Barbarescos. Limestone brings into the wine a great purity of fruit, a distinctive aroma of spices and tobacco (cigar box) and a very unusual quality of tannins, firm but very mineral.
2021 BARBARESCO Basarin Sottimano
Red berry, wild rose, botanical herb and truffle aromas lead the nose on the impressive 2021 Basarin from Sottimano. Firm and elegantly structured, the delicious, focused palate features juicy blackRed berry, wild rose, botanical herb and truffle aromas lead the nose on the impressive 2021 Basarin from Sottimano. Firm and elegantly structured, the delicious, focused palate features juicy black cherry, licorice and mocha before closing on a hint of saline. It has great energy thanks to bright acidity while alongside decisive, tightly woven tannins provide the framework. It’s still edgy and nervous and needs time to fully develop. Drink 2028–2036. Drinking range: 2028 - 2036 Rating: 96 Kerin O'Keefe, kerinokeefe.com (Apr 2024)
In Bond
2021 BARBARESCO Cottá Sottimano
Neive. Just mid ruby. Complex minerally nose with hints of red fruit. Sappy red fruit that is still embryonic. Fresh and fluid palate with lots of gravelly tannins on the finish. Still in its infancyNeive. Just mid ruby. Complex minerally nose with hints of red fruit. Sappy red fruit that is still embryonic. Fresh and fluid palate with lots of gravelly tannins on the finish. Still in its infancy but showing real class. Drinking range: 2026 - 2036 Rating: 17.5 Walter Speller, www.jancisrobinson.com (Aug 2024)
In Bond
2021 BARBARESCO Fausoni Sottimano
The 2021 Barbaresco Fausoni is bright, nervy and finely cut. Crushed rocks, white pepper, incense, red fruit, pink grapefruit and orange peel all scream out of the glass. Nervy and sinewy, with tonsThe 2021 Barbaresco Fausoni is bright, nervy and finely cut. Crushed rocks, white pepper, incense, red fruit, pink grapefruit and orange peel all scream out of the glass. Nervy and sinewy, with tons of top-end brightness, the Fausoni is a rock star. But it's also a wine for readers who appreciated the more linear, classically austere style of Barbaresco. Drinking range: 2026 - 2041 Rating: 96+ Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Sept 2024)
In Bond
2021 BARBARESCO Pajoré Sottimano
The 2021 Barbaresco Pajorè has shut down massively since I tasted it last year. Dried herbs, menthol, incense, game and tobacco infuse the palate with tremendous complexity. Readers will find anThe 2021 Barbaresco Pajorè has shut down massively since I tasted it last year. Dried herbs, menthol, incense, game and tobacco infuse the palate with tremendous complexity. Readers will find an austere, classically built Barbaresco for the cellar. Time in the glass brings out the natural breadth and structure of Pajorè. Quite simply, this is an archetype. What a wine. Drinking range: 2026 - 2041 Rating: 96+ Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Sept 2024)
In Bond