Pertinace Barbera d’Asti Gratia Plena 2019

The Pertinace winery is located in the locality of the same name, in Treiso, Piedmont, one of the four municipalities of the Langhe famous for the production of Barbaresco DOCG and also known as the birthplace of Publio Elvio Pertinace, valorous soldier and Roman Emperor, who was born here in 126 A.D. Pertinace as a place name is a thousand years old. The wines produced follow the trend of the Piedmontese wine tradition characterised by a classic and elegant style. Founded in 1973 by Mario Barbero, the Winery was a winegrowers cooperative of thirteen members from the Treiso area with an innovative, ground-breaking idea to create a business that could first grow superior grapes and then put a great new brand onto the market, with one eye on quality and the other on the tastes of the evolved consumer. They decided to concentrate on Nebbiolo grapes to make high quality Barbaresco, bottling and marketing it under the name ‘Cantina Vignaioli Elvio Pertinace’. The name of the winery was then changed to ‘Cantina Pertinace’, and in January 2016, the number of members increased to 20, with a total of 110 hectares under vines (mainly Nebbiolo, but also Dolcetto, Barbera d’Alba, Moscato and Chardonnay) and production of 650,000 bottles. Since 1973, the winery has never stopped developing and growing. Cantina Pertinace wines are part of traditional Piedmont winemaking at its purest – from care of the vineyards, looked after personally by the contributing members, to the winemaking and ageing processes, the production of Barbaresco, Nebbiolo d’Alba, Dolcetto and Barbera d’Alba is oriented towards a classic, elegant style. Production and refining areas of the wines reflect the traditional philosophy such as tall stainless steel tanks contrasting with aisles of great 40 to 105 hectolitre wooden casks where ageing occurs in cool, quiet half-light. All crus are produced following the same rules without exception as they rest in great casks for 18 months. Despite their similar gestation processes, the resultant wines have very different personalities, strongly influenced by the differences in terroir and constant care and great attention to detail in the vineyards. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, the vineyards of Langa, Roero and Monferrato are, to quote the words of the World Heritage List, an outstanding living testimony to winegrowing and winemaking traditions that stem from a long history. The 110 hectares of vineyard are scattered throughout Treiso, Barbaresco, Alba, Neviglie, Piobesi d’Alba and Magliano Alfieri in Cuneo Province, and Agliano Terme in Asti Province. This magnificent Barbera is made with the best grapes from an old vineyard. “Gratia Plena” or “full of grace” is therefore a more than appropriate name. Classic vinification with long skin maceration. This topper refines for a total of 7 years before it comes on the market. Part barriques, part large casks and part bottled. A wine with a deep cherry red colour with purple highlights in its youth. Here one can rightly speak of a complex nose with earthy scents and underwood that accompany a fine aroma of forest fruits. The wine is pleasant on the palate with an intense final of fruit and fine acidity, the calling card of a Barbera. The Finer Details Style – Red Wine Varietal – Barbera Country – Italy Region – Barbaresco Vintage – 2019 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 14.5%