2013 MICHELE CHIARLO "TORTONIANO" BAROLO

2013 MICHELE CHIARLO "TORTONIANO" BAROLO, PIEDMONT, ITALY. 100% Nebbiolo.

94 points James Suckling: "Aromas of leather, dried strawberries and lavender follow through to a full body, ultra-fine tannins and a racy, beautiful finish. Goes on for minutes." (07/2017)

93 points Wine Enthusiast: "Lovely scents of rose, violet, perfumed berry, cake spice and a whisper of menthol lead the way on this fragrant red. Savory and precise, the linear luminous palate doles out crushed raspberry, juicy Marasca cherry, licorice and clove. It's well balanced, with fresh acidity and polished tannins. Drink 2020–2028." (09/2017)

91 points Wine Advocate: "This is Michele Chiarlo's entry-level Barolo that sees fruit sourced from the Cerequio cru. The wine is named after the calcareous marl clay soils of sedimentary marine origin that characterize this site. The soils are from the Tortonian period (nine million years ago). The 2013 Barolo Tortoniano reveals a dry and mineral-rich bouquet. Those aromas are enhanced by bright tones of dried raspberry and cherry." (06/2017)

The Michele Chiarlo estate is recognized as as one of the leaders in Barolo. They own some of the top crus in Piedmont and produce the style of pure, classic Barolo that we love. Named for the mineral-rich tortonian-era soils in which the vines are planted, the 2013 Tortoniano is a terrific bargain that has immediate drinkability and the structure to age. Vinified traditionally and aged two years in oak followed by one year in bottle, it has all the elements that characterize great Barolo: aromas and flavors of rose petals, spice and red fruit underscored by iron-like minerality, nuanced flavors layered on a silky palate, and a long, lingering finish. There is truly nothing better than classic Barolo with wintry dishes like truffle pasta, creamy mushroom risotto, braised red meats of all kinds, and aged cheeses. It also makes an impressive gift for any wine lover.

About: Since 1956, Michele Chiarlo has been vinifying the essence of Piedmont, loving and developing the most incredible wine region in the world. The estate is 100% family owned and run and includes 110 hectares of vineyards between Langhe, Monferrato and Gavi. These crus respect both ecological criteria and the expression of the terroir. They have undergone 60 harvests of quality and long term recognition as one of the leaders of Barbera, Moscato d’Asti and Barolo. The follow traditional winemaking, with no blends and no international varietals. They own some of the region's top historical singles vineyards in Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera including two top Barolo vineyards: Cerequio and La Court, both recognized as UNESCO world heritage sites.

Michele Chiarlo's Barolo Tortoniano is named for the tortonian-era soils in which the vines are planted, which contain a high percentage of magnesium and manganese. Grape clusters are thinned and harvested up to 15 days later than usual so that the fruit attains higher concentration. Grapes come from select vineyards of growers with whom the Chiarlo family has dealt for generations. Temperatures are strictly controlled during vinification and the wine is aged for two years in large oak casks and one year in bottle before release. A classic, this shows layered aromas of rose petals, juniper berries and fine spices. On the palate the acidity is balanced and the tannins are silky, leading to a long finish. Recommended with fettuccine with porcini, braised red meats, and well-matured cheeses. (Importer)