Giacomo Ascheri
Barolo Nebbiolo
Barolo, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
Aced this blind, though I felt the palate weight does lean more towards a Langhe Nebbiolo by convention.
Like the blinded Margaux on the table, the nose led with Morello cherries, but without new oak and more layers such as aromas of dried roses, leather, star anise, and earth. The trademark Nebbiolo tannins and acidity on the palate was what scored the clincher for me. Lighter than expected for the level of tannins, but I felt it was still balanced especially with the mouth-filling mid-palate fruit (mixed berries here). Finishes with spice and fresh acidity. It’s a dangerous drink given how elegant it is at 14.5% abv. Best red of the night!
NB: The 2017 Blue Label Ascheri Barolo was made with a blend of fruits from La Morra, Verduno, and Serralunga. Fermentation was a 50% mix of 15-day batch and 25-day batch with submerged cap. Aging was for 24 months in large Slavonian oak barrels (70% new oak and 30% used) and for 12 months in stainless steel before bottling. It’s interesting to note how little wood character was imparted into the wine using large format barrels, despite the high percentage of new oak. I would imagine that one of the roles of this cuvée at Ascheri is just to season the new barrels for use in the better cuvées.
Aced this blind, though I felt the palate weight does lean more towards a Langhe Nebbiolo by convention.
Like the blinded Margaux on the table, the nose led with Morello cherries, but without new oak and more layers such as aromas of dried roses, leather, star anise, and earth. The trademark Nebbiolo tannins and acidity on the palate was what scored the clincher for me. Lighter than expected for the level of tannins, but I felt it was still balanced especially with the mouth-filling mid-palate fruit (mixed berries here). Finishes with spice and fresh acidity. It’s a dangerous drink given how elegant it is at 14.5% abv. Best red of the night!
NB: The 2017 Blue Label Ascheri Barolo was made with a blend of fruits from La Morra, Verduno, and Serralunga. Fermentation was a 50% mix of 15-day batch and 25-day batch with submerged cap. Aging was for 24 months in large Slavonian oak barrels (70% new oak and 30% used) and for 12 months in stainless steel before bottling. It’s interesting to note how little wood character was imparted into the wine using large format barrels, despite the high percentage of new oak. I would imagine that one of the roles of this cuvée at Ascheri is just to season the new barrels for use in the better cuvées.
Pale garnet color.
Aromas of red cherry, tar, cedar greenery.
Dry. Flavors of red cherry, tar, floral, orange zest. Firm tannins are lower than expected, but balanced. Great acidity.
Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 4/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5
Pale garnet color.
Aromas of red cherry, tar, cedar greenery.
Dry. Flavors of red cherry, tar, floral, orange zest. Firm tannins are lower than expected, but balanced. Great acidity.
Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 4/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5
Pale garnet color.
Aromas of barnyard, red fruit.
Dry. Flavors of barnyard, red cherry, tar, rose petal, leather. Rich, firm tannins, and high acidity. Amazing complexity and amazing despite barnyard notes.
Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 5/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5
Pale garnet color.
Aromas of barnyard, red fruit.
Dry. Flavors of barnyard, red cherry, tar, rose petal, leather. Rich, firm tannins, and high acidity. Amazing complexity and amazing despite barnyard notes.
Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 5/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5
Nose: peppery, herby, cherry tomato leaves, butter, a tad barnyard
Palate: white pepper, milk chocolate, butter, raspberry
Nose: peppery, herby, cherry tomato leaves, butter, a tad barnyard
Palate: white pepper, milk chocolate, butter, raspberry
