Borgogno Barolo Riserva 1974 1x75cl

This winery dates back to 1761. One hundred years after it’s founding, Borgogno Barolo was served at an official banquet presided over by Garibaldi celebrating the unification of Italy. More recently the wine appeared in one of the Godfather movies. Tradition is the watchword here. Typical vineyard practices would include green spring pruning, green harvesting to allow for better maturation of the remaining fruit and a final manual selection during harvest. The vinification is of the traditional method; crushing and de-stemming, fermentation on the skins with a long maceration that allows for best extraction of complex tannins and pigments that, together with alcohol and acidity, are fundamental factors for long aging. Fermentation is a long and laboured process, involving plenty of skin contact and pumping over of the cap. The wine is eventually left to age in oak barrels of varying sizes and ages (never new) for 2-4 years depending on the characteristics of the vintage.

Mushroom and truffle notes dominating. With air it really gets going. There’s some bitter chocolate, tar, raisins and earth. the palate is heady and forceful. It has vinous sweetness and loads of meaty nuance. Whilst the tannins have softened it is a wine of strength and character. 91CT