Sottimano
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.
2023 BARBARESCO Fausoni Sottimano
The 2023 Barbaresco Fausoni is delicate and floral in its first impression, before the mid-palate gradually starts to open. Red cherry fruit, blood orange, mint, white pepper, slate and dried herbsThe 2023 Barbaresco Fausoni is delicate and floral in its first impression, before the mid-palate gradually starts to open. Red cherry fruit, blood orange, mint, white pepper, slate and dried herbs unfurl in the glass. Medium in body and beautifully persistent, the 2023 offers tons of potential. As always, the tannins are a touch nervy, but then again, this is very young Nebbiolo. Drinking range: 2027 - 2043 Rating: 94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)
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2023 BARBARESCO Cottá Sottimano
The 2023 Barbaresco Cottá is impressive. A blast of dark cherry, plum, spice, lavender, incense, spice, new leather and menthol stains the palate. Readers will find a big Barbaresco with broadThe 2023 Barbaresco Cottá is impressive. A blast of dark cherry, plum, spice, lavender, incense, spice, new leather and menthol stains the palate. Readers will find a big Barbaresco with broad shoulders and tons of intensity. This is an especially virile, almost somber, edition of the Cottá. Superb. Drinking range: 2028 - 2037 Rating: 95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)
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2023 BARBARESCO Pajoré Sottimano
The 2023 Barbaresco Pajorè has come together nicely since I tasted it last year. Dark balsamic inflections immediately announce a potent, virile Barbaresco. Readers should be in no rush, as the 2023The 2023 Barbaresco Pajorè has come together nicely since I tasted it last year. Dark balsamic inflections immediately announce a potent, virile Barbaresco. Readers should be in no rush, as the 2023 is going to need a number of years to come into its own. Macerated black cherry, cloves, incense, scorched earth and espresso add to feeling of gravitas that echoes as the wine gradually opens in the glass. There's gorgeous density here, and pedigree to burn. Pajorè was the last Nebbiolo harvested in 2023. Drinking range: 2028 - 2043 Rating: 95+ Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)
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2023 BARBARESCO Basarin Sottimano
The 2023 Barbaresco Basarin is deep, resonant and super-expressive. Expansive contours wrap around a core of blue/purplish fruit. Lavender, menthol, espresso and spicebox all meld together in theThe 2023 Barbaresco Basarin is deep, resonant and super-expressive. Expansive contours wrap around a core of blue/purplish fruit. Lavender, menthol, espresso and spicebox all meld together in the glass, with floral top notes that add finesse. This sensual, layered Barbaresco is a total delight. It is the most approachable for the 2023 Barbarescos at this address. Drinking range: 2026 - 2041 Rating: 94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)
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