Cascina Luisin Barabaresco ‘Rabajà’ 2016

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

About Cascina Luisin

Cascina Luisin boasts arguably one of the best positions in the Barbaresco commune. Those who understand the importance of the names Asili and Rabaja would be reassured of Luisin’s position as a high-quality producer by the fact that that the Minuto family own parcels of these crus. They also happen to be conveniently located right on their doorstep, literally outside their back door.

This small estate dates back to 1913 and is now run by winemaker Roberto Minuto. He is the fourth generation at Luisin and still displays great respect for his predecessors, including his father, Luigi, who continues to help in the winery.

Similar to other years, this March, Roberto Minuto met us in the courtyard and then took us on a tour of the winery, complete with decades old cellars, large botti and an obviously proud history.

Putting history and real estate to the side, it’s the wines that take centrestage. As far as the 2016 vintage is concerned – there has been an enormous amount of press, and deservedly so – it’s a classic. This year’s trio of ’16 crus look stunning, showing exquisite purity of fruit across the range. They are so, so pretty and are structurally seamless. They always strike us as being some of the more expressive wines we sell, with silky yet assertive tannins. The cool ’16 vintage amplifies this with heightened aromatics and a more sophisticated and linear tannin profile than from ’15. Being within a couple of minutes from the vineyards, in most cases, means that they are lucky enough to bring the fruit in as quickly and freshly as possible. This freshness is reflected in the pure and fragrant nature of these wines.

In the Vineyard

When you reach the ‘observation deck’ – the building’s terrace – you see just how impressive the real estate is. The winery faces west and basically sits directly above the Rabaja vineyard. If you look just to the south from their terrace, you see Asili – arguably the ‘grand cru’ of the Barbaresco zone. These two prestigious vineyards are among Cascina Luisin’s 7 hectares of vineyard holdings and are the source of most of the fruit for their elegant Barbarescos.

Roberto explains that the Tanaro River, which is just visible from the estate, has a tempering effect on the south-west-facing amphitheatre-shaped vineyards. Rabaja, high on the hill, with soils containing greater amounts of calcium carbonate creates a structured and more mineral Barbaresco. Asili, on the other hand, is slightly lower, sitting at around 290 metres in elevation and is more west exposed, with higher levels of clay, contributing to a floral, plush and silky Barbaresco.

About Asili

The name Asili (Asei) is derived from the local dialect, which historically were used to name each parcel of land. Asili is one of the historic vineyards of the village of Barbaresco and it located in the Southern portion of the area planted to vines.

Asili is particularly rich in limestone and marl mixed with strands of reddish yellow sands.

In the Winery

In the cellar, while he has previously trialled some modern techniques, Roberto is a traditionalist. Concrete fermentation tanks and large Stockinger botti are what Roberto proudly presents. Long fermentations  and an extended post-fermentation maceration of around 40 days are commonplace, followed by 30 months in oak. Each of Roberto’s Barbarescos are made in mostly the same way, highlighting the site in each of the wines.

The 2016 Vintage

Putting history and real estate to the side, it’s the wines that take centrestage. As far as the 2016 vintage is concerned – there has been an enormous amount of press, and deservedly so – it’s a classic. This year’s trio of ’16 crus look stunning, showing exquisite purity of fruit across the range. They are so, so pretty and are structurally seamless. They always strike us as being some of the more expressive wines we sell, with silky yet assertive tannins. The cool ’16 vintage amplifies this with heightened aromatics and a more sophisticated and linear tannin profile than from ’15. Being within a couple of minutes from the vineyards, in most cases, means that they are lucky enough to bring the fruit in as quickly and freshly as possible. This freshness is reflected in the pure and fragrant nature of these wines.

Where in the World is Cascina Luisin?

With the winery located on Strada Rabajà, Cascina Luisin is right in the heart of Barbaresco. Their main Cru vineyards are Rabajà which rows run directly into the adjacent Asili, in addition to a parcel of Paolin.