A bottle that needs no introduction! Seeing the more recent vintages of this wine all over my Cellar Tracker page & a few on this sub, had me plan to open this particular 2015 over a well seasoned steak & roasted potatoes meal. The idea had me drooling all week. Production notes – 100% Nebbiolo, of course, harvested earlier than normal in late Sept/early Oct from a good vintage (scorching summer!). Fermented in stainless steel, 30 days on the skins, before being aged for two years in big oak casks – bottled in April 2018. Stored at 55, opened 30 minutes prior to drinking, put about 1.5 glasses worth into a decanter – the rest I let air out in the bottle. Enjoyed over 5 hours.
Visually, a medium garnet in the glass. Edges starting to lean amber already.
On the nose, the typical notes emerged first – ripe cherries, smoke, quite floral – bouquet of roses. As it warmed, I noted this wonderful sweet note I couldn't readily identify – jumped from flavored tobacco (think hookah), to potpourri, to baking spice, to cake, to vanilla as I tried to chase it around the glass. Great stuff.
On the palate, the first glass at around 60 F was medium bodied to me, with a notable tannic presence – yet bearable, velvety, Christ, can I use the word playful here? A bite of my steak and it sang. With the typical strong Nebbiolo acidity to boot, and a 14.5% alcohol that you don't notice in the slightest. At eleven years to harvest and eight to bottle, it's in a wonderful state of balance to me. Strong red fruit flavors, tobacco and sweet pastries in a lengthy finish. Honestly, it didn't need decanting. Ready to go now – and what a great pairing with a well seasoned steak!
Just recently I missed out on a chance to pick up the amazing 2016 vintage of this at $50, but I still have the 2019-2020 locally at around the same price. It's a wonderful food wine, yet still elegant enough to enjoy on its own. It'll be a bit before I open my 2021 bottle, but I'm ready to dive into the single vineyard bottlings after a few more vintages of these to start picking up their nuances and differences!
by JJxiv15
5 Comments
Nice! Can you elaborate on how you made that steak? Looks great!
Fabulous reading, cheers! 🥂
If you want the single vineyards – go for the 2021 while still available. Given 2021 an amazing year. But 2022-2024 are difficult years
I’ve never tried a barbaresco, you’re pushing me into the old world my friend!
Good stuff! Since you mentioned the single vineyard bottlings, they felt like quite a big step up for me. I had the 2020 Pora and the 2020 Rabaja and both of them were such memorable experiences, so perfumed yet structured.