La Spinetta
The 2007 edition of Gambero Rosso named this Italy's No. 2 winery just behind Gaja, and the international press continually lauds it as one of the country's most progressive wineries. La Spinetta is truly is a world-class producer.
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.
2019 La Spinetta Barolo Campè
100% Nebbiolo from Campè the vineyard surrounding La Spinetta's winery in Grinzane Cavour. It's a 3.5ha south-facing site on calcareous soils, and the vines have an average age of about 55 years. It's farmed sustainably, with no chemical hebicides or pesticides. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled rotofermenters and lasts between six and seven days. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in oak, where the wine is aged for 24 months. From these new, medium toast French oak vessels it's transferred to stainless steel vats for nine months before bottling with no fining or filtration. It is then rested for a further 12 months in bottle before release four years after the harvest.
Lots of flowers, stem and berry character on the nose. It’s full body, with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. Big and powerful for the vintage. Needs at least five years of bottle age. Try in 2019.
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