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 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 – RoberParker.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
An elegant style, boasting cherry, strawberry, rose, menthol and iron aromas and flavors. The supple texture transitions to a base of chalky tannins, with vanilla and oak spice accents on the longAn elegant style, boasting cherry, strawberry, rose, menthol and iron aromas and flavors. The supple texture transitions to a base of chalky tannins, with vanilla and oak spice accents on the long finish. Patience required. Best from 2028 through 2045. Drinking range: 2028 - 2045 Rating: 95 Bruce Sanderson, The Wine Spectator (Jan 2025)
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.
2019 BARBARESCO Curra' Sottimano
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 mineralReleased 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.L&S (Aug 2024)
In Bond
2020 BARBARESCO Curra' Sottimano
The 2020 Barbaresco Currà is an infant, but it is stellar. Wild, savory and intensely perfumed, the 2020 is super-expressive of place. The Currà is the deepest of the 2020s, also the most backward. IThe 2020 Barbaresco Currà is an infant, but it is stellar. Wild, savory and intensely perfumed, the 2020 is super-expressive of place. The Currà is the deepest of the 2020s, also the most backward. I would not be in any rush to open bottles. Black fruit, leather, tobacco and cloves add to an impression of brooding intensity. Drinking range: 2026 - 2045 Rating: 96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Aug 2024)
In Bond
2021 BARBARESCO Basarin Sottimano
The 2021 Barbaresco Basarin is fabulous. Rich, ample and seductive, the Basarin marries the charm that is so typical of this sector with the breadth and structure of Barbaresco. These two qualitiesThe 2021 Barbaresco Basarin is fabulous. Rich, ample and seductive, the Basarin marries the charm that is so typical of this sector with the breadth and structure of Barbaresco. These two qualities are evident in tasting this after the 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo. Transparent and vibrant, the 2021 has so much to offer. Crushed rose petals, mint, orange peel, spice, tobacco and incense build into the long, sustained finish. This is even better than it was last year. Drinking range: 2024 - 2036 Rating: 94 Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate (Sept 2024)
In Bond
2021 BARBARESCO Cottá Sottimano
The 2021 Barbaresco Cottá is one of the most forward wines in this range, as it so often is. Aromatically expressive and light on its feet, the 2021 delivers tons of flavor intensity, but withoutThe 2021 Barbaresco Cottá is one of the most forward wines in this range, as it so often is. Aromatically expressive and light on its feet, the 2021 delivers tons of flavor intensity, but without excess weight. A return to more traditional winemaking has lightened the Cottá considerably, away from some of the jammier interpretations of the past. I imagine the 2021 will drink well with minimal cellaring. Drinking range: 2026 - 2041 Rating: 95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Sept 2023)
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
So perfumed, the 2021 Pajorè from Sottimano is a stunner, with enticing aromas of mocha, ripe red berry, camphor, violet and forest floor. The intense, full-bodied palate is super savory, deliveringSo perfumed, the 2021 Pajorè from Sottimano is a stunner, with enticing aromas of mocha, ripe red berry, camphor, violet and forest floor. The intense, full-bodied palate is super savory, delivering succulent raspberry, Marasca cherry, baking spice, star anise and hints of hazelnut before a cool, minty finish. Tightly knit, close-grained tannins provide support while bright acidity keeps it balanced and energized. A gorgeous wine. Drink 2028–2036. Drinking range: 2028 - 2036 Rating: 96 Kerin O'Keefe, kerinokeefe.com (Apr 2024)
In Bond