Size & Type
Other
Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Monforte d'Alba, Italy, Barolo (sub-region)
$120
A Barolo with a great purity of darker fruit, hints of tar, and, a perfumed lift of violets. Just a lick of oak adding to the wine’s complexity. Lovely generosity and length of fruit. Long even tannins.
Only 2 left in stock
For many years I struggled with the wines of Domenico Clerico. I could see wonderful fruit, yet, struggled with the oak. Over the last decade there has been a significant reduction in the use of oak in the wines. Less and less new oak being used, whilst, alternative storage, including ceramic eggs and large oak foudre from Stockinger has increased.
The result, vibrant, crunchy, layered wines with greater expression of fruit.
Grape variety:
100% Nebbiolo.
Vineyard:
blend of our best cru only from Monforte d’Alba.
Average age of the vines:
45-50 years old.
Barrel program:
16 months barrique, constant tastings to select those ready for the barrel assembly
16 months in barrel (5,000L)
+1 year in bottle
My first memories of Domenico Clerico in my trips to Barolo were from some years back, driving south from the Commune of Barolo, and approaching the tee intersection to turn off towards Monforte – on the right is their standout, magnificently impressive and architecturally designed estate. I suppose in some ways, before I first met Domenico Clerico and visited his winery, I already had developed thoughts on his wines, and seeing this structure helped confirm this – rich, powerful and modern wines with a level of polish and sophistication. What did surprise me though was how small Domenico’s production was compared to the impression given from this imposing estate.
Taking over from his father in the late 70’s, in his early years, Domenico Clerico had the foresight to begin acquiring more real estate in Monforte which (perhaps by luck) included parcels of land in some of the most sort after crus. These included famous vineyards including Bussia, Ginestra, Pajana and Mosconi.
Although regarded as one of the leaders of the modernist movement, in recent times, there has been a clear step away from this very ‘new world’ approach with a significant reduction in the amount of new wood used, along with the addition of some larger format oak (and even the odd concrete egg fermenter!) now being found at the winery. Other changes such as slower fermentation and maceration times are helping show each Crus individuality. Over the past 4 to 5 years, chief Oenologist Oscar Arrivabene has been working as Domenico Clerico’s right-hand man, and with the passing of Domenico Clerico in July, Oscar has fully taken over the reins.
Clerico’s Cru Barolo vineyards are all clustered together in Monforte d’Alba with the exception of the new holding of the Baudana Cru in Serralunga d’Alba that is the source of the Barolo ‘Aeroplanservaj’, a wine I have yet to try. Even the Langhe Nebbiolo’s ‘Arte’ and ‘Capisme-e’, and, the Dolcetto ‘Viadi’ and Barbera ‘Trevigne’ are from Monforte sites.
Exuberant and exciting, the 2013 Barolo is a fantastic new edition to the Domenico Clerico family. This wine was first introduced in 2011. Before then, the estate only made cru expressions. Here's how it works. The single-vineyard wines are vinified separately of course. The winemaking team tastes through all the barrels to eliminate the ones that don't fit the taste profiles (or quality standards) of their respective cru site. Those barrels are then blended to make this wine. What you get is a hodge-podge of the best of Clerico. The effect works wonders. There is so much intensity and fruity succulence to behold. The wine is rich and beautifully smooth in texture.
Where in the world does the magic happen?
Azienda Agricola Clerico Domenico, Borgata Manzoni, Monforte d'Alba, Province of Cuneo, Italy
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