San Fereolo Wines

This is the type of wine that reminds us why we got into the wine business in the first place. So much nuance! So much character! Deep, dark, fresh vibrant ruby, the Barbera here delivers oodles of powerful yet refined black cherry and blackberry fruit with hints of baking spice, underbrush, a touch of cracked pepper and the richness combined with tension that we see from the finest limestone-based reds, be they in Burgundy or Bordeaux. The old vines here provide outstanding concentration, this is powerful stuff, but the bottle age and quality of the vintage amplify that richness and power, taking this wine to another ‘umami’ level.

Generally 95% Barbera and 5% Nebbiolo, this ranks among the greatest expressions of Barbera we have experienced.  Nicoletta treats the wine with a high degree of respect, allowing it to evolve through 3 years of élevage in large, neutral oak, followed by another 3 to 4 years in bottle.

From the importer: The most important wine of the estate, the Dolcetto for the top wine is sourced from parcels found in prime positions, as well as the oldest vines of the estate.  The 7-year wait from harvest to release reflects the importance of the “San Fereolo” to Nicoletta, who carefully tends the wine through its 3 years in large barrel before a 3-4 year hibernation in the bottle cellar.  Our spring 2015 tasting of each vintage from 2001 to 2008 revealed a consistent vein of dense, warm fruit, which spoke of the Langhe source.  Fresh mineral notes, mint, licorice and savory elements permeated each expression, while a lively freshness was alive in every wine, including the 14-year old 2001 vintage.

From the importer: Nicoletta Bocca is known as a maverick for her ultra-long aged Langhe cuvées, among the finest in the entire region. “Valdibà” is her youthful expression of the Dogliani DOCG, made all in steel cuve, which shows in the fresh brightness of the wine. Nicoletta considers this to be classical Dolcetto, striking all of the notes one would expect from the variety, with a confident tannic backbone. From southeast and northwest-facing vines in the Barracone and San Fereolo vineyards in the Valdibà subsection of Dogliani.