Cascina Pugnane Barolo ‘Pugnane’ 2016

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

About Cascina Pugnane

Brothers Enzo and Ivo Ghisolfi resumed farming in 1998 after a period of about 40 years in which the vines had been entrusted to third parties for processing with sharecropping and lease contracts.

Azienda Agricola Cascina Pugnane dei f.lli Ghisolfi is situated on a hill where the Municipalities of Barolo, Monforte and Castiglione Falletto meet, in the heart of the Barolo area on the hill of Pugnane. Basically, the Golden Triangle of Barolo!

During the first half of the last century, under the guidance of grandfather Pietro, 5 hectares of vines were owned in the prized Bussia area and a smaller amount in the lee of Barolo Municipality. The hill of Pugnane was bought in this period, shortly before the Second World War and has been one of the properties for almost 70 years. All varieties that currently completely cover the hill were planted directly by the family. Since the time of the Romans, the hill of Pugnane has been the focus of attention because of its particularly favourable position from a geographic and environmental point of view. Historical documents attribute the name to Roman etymology (pugnare = fight) and certify the existence on such a hill of a small defence structure for the Roman army.

The 2016 Vintage Barolo

2016 has come at just the right time. We have a number of winemakers with incredible experience and wine wisdom. The vineyards in Barolo are in the best condition they’ve been in with incredible detail going into their care.

Combined we have a situation where vignerons are in the best possible position to make the most of the great fruit yielded by the 2016 harvest!

When you compare the 2015 & 2016 vintages you see the difference between a warmer vintage with a shorter ripening period and a cooler one with the longest ripening period in memory.

Nebbiolo responds beautifully to a cooler longer ripening. Once it reaches sugar level high enough to make a wine around 14-14.5% alcohol the sugar levels stop increasing, it tends to hold its acid and the tannins so important to the insane mouthfeel of Nebbiolo ripen and increase in depth.

Such vintages tend to offer wines with more perfume, energy, and, vitality.

Where in the World is Cascina Pugnane?

Azienda Agricola Cascina Pugnane dei f.lli Ghisolfi is situated on a hill where the Municipalities of Barolo, Monforte and Castiglione Falletto meet, in the heart of the Barolo area on the hill of Pugnane. Basically, the Golden Triangle of Barolo!

This 3D flyover is Epic covering each of the communes you can see just how varied and extreme the aspect of each vineyard is and how in the space of a few metres just how dramatically the change.