Fratelli Alessandria Commune di Verduno Barolo 2019

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

From the Winery: This Barolo is distinguished by the “spicy elegance” that is the territorial hallmark of the wines of Verduno. It is produced according to the traditional practice of blending grapes from several vineyards; in this case five: Pisapola, Riva Rocca, Campasso, Rocche dell’Olmo and Boscatto.

Municipality: Verduno
Grape variety: Nebbiolo
Vineyards, Exposure and Altitude: Pisapola (South/East, 280-350 metres), Campasso (East, 250-350 metres), Riva Rocca (South/East, 270-340 metres), Boscatto (East, 250-370 metres), Rocche dell’Olmo (East, 310-360 metres)
Average age: about 25 years
Total area: around 4 hectares
Soil: calcareous slimy limestone
Longevity: 7 – 14 years
First year of production Barolo “del commune di Verduno”: 2017

About Fratelli Alessandria

Gian Battista, his wife Flavia, brother Alessandro and son Vittore are the proud custodians of the family’s winemaking tradition and passion, which date back over a century, and represent the seventh and eighth generations of winemakers (the first three generations as Fratelli Dabbene and then as Fratelli Alessandria following a marriage which took place in around 1870).

In the Vineyard

The winery vinifies only estate grown grapes.

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The fifteen hectares of vineyard owned by the winery are its real assets and are located in some of the finest crus in Verduno. Alongside Nebbiolo, there are Dolcetto, Barbera, Freisa and the singular Pelaverga piccolo, which has found its ideal habitat in Verduno. The only white grape is Favorita.

In the Winery

The usual winemaking info is available. The 2 most important elements that shine through for me.

First they use big old wood, no trees to chew through.

Second, the wines look great in the glass. They are beautifully balanced, have wonderful personalities, and, have that freshness with development that is so crucial for any decent drink.

For the Barolos:

Harvest period and method: by hand, in October
Fermentation and Maceration: 22-30 days in tanks at a constant temperature of 26 – 28 °C (78,8 – 82,4 °F)
Ageing and Fining:  about 3 years in 20 – 40 hectolitre (2-4,000L) Slavonian and French oak casks. 2 months in stainless steel tanks and at least 6 months in horizontally laid bottles
Bottling period: at the beginning of the 4^th year after the harvest

Where in the World is Fratelli Alessandria?

Fratelli Alessandria is based in Verduno, home to its most famous Cru, Monvigliero. The boys have additional holdings in Monforte.

Verduno is located at the northern tip of the Barolo zone and is the closest village to the River Tanaro. It enjoys a special microclimate, influenced by air currents from the river. This, together with the soil composition and all the other elements of the terroir, clearly characterises the wines.

Verduno belongs to the Tortonian side of the Barolo zone and specifically to the La Morra unit. Starting from the Monvigliero sub-zone, this area extends southwards to the end of Monforte, skirting Barolo and including the La Morra sub-zones of Brunate and Cerequio. The soils consist of fossil S. Agata Marl and are of a calcareous-clayey nature, having emerged from the sea some 6-7 million years ago.

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.

Soil formation in the Barolo production area by Pierre le Hong.