Vietti Barbaresco Roncaglie Masseria 2019

Vietti is a winery with a rich history spanning almost 150 years. Founded by Carlo Vietti in the late 1800s in the heart of the Langhe, on the highest point of the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto, the winery was transformed into a high-quality wine producer by Carlo’s son, Mario Vietti, upon his return from living in the United States in 1917. In the 1950s, Alfredo Currado, oenologist and art lover, brought new intuitions to the winery, intertwining wine knowledge with art and culture. Vietti produced one of the first Barolo Crus in 1961 and the first vinification of Arneis in 1967. The wines were accompanied by Art Labels starting in 1974, making the Vietti brand an icon and standard-bearer of important revolutions. The winery’s commitment, vision, culture and passion have contributed to its growth and recognition as one of the best Italian wine labels. The Krause Family purchased Vietti in 2016 and decided to extend the winemaking properties with new, renowned crus in the denomination of Barolo and Barbaresco. In 2023, the Heritage was taken over by the Krause Family, already owner of the Cellar since 2016 and standard-bearer of the new future of the Vietti brand. Vietti maintains its founding values and looks towards the future with even more promising and stimulating prospects, with each wine being the result of artisanal work and the profound understanding and interpretation of each individual terroir. Since 1974, Vietti wines have been adorned with specially-designed original works inspired by the wine of that particular vintage. These works include lithographs, xylographies, etchings, silkscreens and linocuts. The print run is the same as the number of bottles produced and the first hundred labels are signed by the artist. Each work is only used once, just for the wine of that vintage. Since the presentation of the 1982 Barolo Villero in 1988, the artist’s labels have been dedicated exclusively to the wines grown on this great vineyard. The idea for these unique labels was conceived by Alfredo Currado and a group of artist friends over a bottle of Barolo Rocche. They believed that wines like these deserved to be graced with labels unlike any other and the idea began to take shape the following day. These art labels have become an iconic part of the Vietti brand, adding a touch of art and culture to their already exceptional wines. Barbaresco DOCG is a renowned Italian wine that bears the name of the town located northeast of Alba. It was among the first wines in Italy to receive DOC status in 1966 and then upgraded to DOCG in 1980. Barbaresco is often more elegant than Barolo. However, there can be significant differences in the various municipalities and vineyards, where microclimates play a big role in wine anatomy. Barbaresco DOCG is made from 100% Nebbiolo grape in the sub-varieties Michet and Lampia. According to DOCG regulations, Barbaresco wines must be aged for a minimum of 2 years (at least 9 months in wooden barrels) before release and aged for at least 4 years to be considered a riserva. The wines must have a minimum alcohol level of 12.5%, though most wines are closer to 13.5%. The Vietti Barbaresco Roncaglie Masseria 2019 is a stunning example of the Barbaresco D.O.C.G. designation. Made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes sourced from the MGA “Roncaglie” vineyard in the municipality of Barbaresco, this wine is recognized as one of the best in the area. The soil is rich in limestone and clay, with a south/south-western exposure at approximately 280 meters above sea level. The average age of the Guyot-cultivated vines is around 34 years, with a density of around 4600 plants per hectare. The grapes were harvested by hand on 7 October 2019 and underwent an alcoholic fermentation lasting around three weeks in a steel tank, in contact with the skins and with regular pump-overs. The wine was then aged for around 30 months in large barrels and for a small portion, barriques. The ruby-red colour with subtle garnet hues is striking and the rich, potent concentrated nose has hints of ripe fruit. On the palate, the wine is fresh and full-bodied, with notes of red and dark fruit, including strawberry, blueberry and blackberry. The tannins are mature, soft, silky, well-integrated and the hint of almond on the finish is particularly impressive. Overall, this is a beautifully balanced and refined wine that pairs perfectly with stewed meat, game, roasted meats and strong mature cheeses. The Vietti Barbaresco Roncaglie Masseria 2019 is a must-try for anyone who appreciates the elegance and complexity of a classic Italian wine. The 2019 Barbaresco Masseria Roncaglie is the best Barbaresco I have ever tasted from Vietti. Bright, full of energy, the 2019 is stunning from the very first taste, and it was poured after all the Barolos in the range. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, cinnamon, mint and orange peel all grace this exquisite, mind-blowing Barbaresco. The 2019