Cogno Barolo ‘Ravera’ 2017

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

Cogno makes 4 Baroli from different parts of the Ravera Cru. When you look at the map of Barolo below it’s clear that the Ravera Cru is quite large with many different aspects. It’s great to see Cogno separating the unique parcels. The 4 wines from top to bottom are:

Walter Fissore and Nadia Cogno’s 2015 Barolos are compelling, as are their later-release 2014 and 2013 wines. All of these Barolos share the sense of translucence and weightless energy that is the single most important signature of Ravera, where the estate and all of the vineyards are located. Antonio Galloni

These vineyards represent the classic side of our production. They make elegant, smooth, and fresh wines with a fine aroma.Valter Fissore

The Ravera vineyards extend for about five hectares inside the larger zone of the same name.

They are planted at 380 m above sea level with south and southeastern exposure. The soil is very compact calcareous clay, rich in minerals that give the wine a particular savoriness. The microclimate is affected by Alpine currents and is mitigated by the nearby Tanaro River, giving the wine freshness and an elegant bouquet.

Area: 4.88 hectares
Grape variety: lampia and michet, sub-varieties of Nebbiolo
Density: 4,000 vines per hectare
Cultivation: vertical trellised, Guyot pruning
Altitude: 380 m above sea level
Harvest period: October
Wine making: in stainless steel – temperature controlled – automatic pump-over, post fermentation maceration for 30 days with submerged cap
Aging: 24 months in large 25-30 hl Slavonian oak barrels
Lysis: 90 days
Bottle aging: 6 months

Cogno’s Style

Cogno’s wines are down the traditional wine with modern fermentation tech, stainless steel. The wines are clean, not clinical, the elevage, largely time in large old wood makes for beautifully developed wines. Fine and feminine, they all have a great core of fruit, balance and lovely mouthfeel. You will be seeing many more of their wines on our list!

About Elvio Cogno

The Elvio Cogno Winery stands at the top of the Bricco Ravera Hill in Novello, in the Piedmont territory of the Langhe. The farm occupies 11 hectares of land, all under vine. It has the unique feature that it is almost surrounded by forest (bordered at least) creating a unique, possibly slightly cooler more natural micro climate.

The Cogno family has been making wine for four generations, managing the vineyards with great care. They do not force the natural way of the vines, but cultivate low yields per hectare in respect of the biological balance of the vines. In Elvio Cogno’s wines today, we find the characteristics of history and tradition as Papà Elvio advised, and freshness and innovation that his daughter Nadia and her husband Valter Fissore contribute. The style is traditional: organic vineyard management, extremely low yields, a long maceration time and ageing in large oak. Always looking for balance the wines have immediate appeal but of course the longer you spend with them the more they reveal their multifaceted structure. This is true for all their wines, not only the top cru‘s.
Organic and biodynamic principles are employed in the vineyard and winery.

The 2017 Vintage

2017 will be remembered as hot with low rainfall. Winter was mild, while spring brought some rain and above-average temperatures. May saw the beginning of a long period of fine weather with summer maximums above average, though cooler nights than in other hot years.

End of August and early September, some welcome rain arrived, followed by a sharp drop in temperatures and marked diurnal temperature shifts. The later ripening nebbiolo and barbera benefitted most. While the overall growing season was shorter, it still lasted on average 185 days compared with 170 in other ‘hot’ years, and 200 in classic vintages.

The accumulation of anthocyanins and tannins was excellent, and while alcohols are higher, they are not out of the average, especially for nebbiolo. Ph levels were good and acids lower. Yields were below average of compact bunches, with harvest occurring around 2 weeks early.

2017 yielded wines of great promise – the cool nights and return to ‘average’ conditions in September being major contributing factors. In fact the 2017 Barolos show remarkable freshness and elegance, with the top producers building on their experience of warmer years, which began with the torrid 2003.

Galloni does an excellent job exploring the 2017 growing season and vintage in his article “2017 Barolo: Here We Go Again…” It’s clear the growers and makers of Piedmont have got their heads around warmer vintages and how to get the most in both the vineyard, and, the winery.

“There is plenty to like about the 2017 Barolos… In tasting, the 2017s are mid-weight Barolos with the classic structure of Nebbiolo. They are often intensely aromatic. Acids and tannins are prominent in many wines. The fruit profiles are ripe, often distinctly redtoned, but not cooked or over-ripe. Perhaps most importantly, the 2017 Barolos are very true to site, which is always a concern with vintages marked by warm weather. The best 2017s are exceptionally polished, vivid and flat-out delicious”

Galloni

Where in the World is Cogno?

The estate great vineyards are based in the Commune of Novello in the south-east of the Barolo region. Their prized vineyard, Ravera (not to be confused with Ravera di Monforte) is on the north-eastern boundary of the Commune.