Description
“Sometimes it takes an outsider to truly appreciate the gifts and potential of a region. I first met Dave Fletcher, a native of Australia, at Ceretto, where he is the winemaker. A few years ago Fletcher started making wines under his own label at a tiny cellar that was once a train station in the flats of Barbaresco, below Marchesi di Grèsy. The first wines are certainly impressive. In a very short time, by Italian standards, Fletcher has managed to forge some pretty strong relationships that give him access to top-tier fruit. More importantly, Fletcher clearly understands the potential of Piedmont, something not all of the locals do, and he has the ambition, commitment and sheer drive to go after his dreams. That’s pretty impressive stuff in my book” – Antonio Galloni – Vinous
The story of Fletcher is one of struggle, passion and determination to win over the local community and in turn the greater wine world that an historical region such as Barolo or Barbaresco can accept outsiders who believe in the region as passionately as if they were born there. Now an established producer of Barbaresco alongside Nebbiolo d’Alba, Barbera d’Asti and Langhe Chardonnay.
After stints in Australia David Fletcher flew in 2007 to Piedmont to work his first vintage at the world famous Ceretto estate and to this day is the winemaker there. After falling in love with Nebbiolo and the region he moved his family and begun his dream of making his own wines and establish an estate in Barbaresco. What has to be said is that as an Australian living in the region he was very much the outsider. How dare an Australian make Barbaresco and label under his own name? Just a few of the speed bumps along the way. Ceretto have been so supportive of David’s project and up to the 2017 vintage all the wines are vinified by David at Ceretto. However this was only the beginning.
About this wine: 100% Nebbiolo from two different zones. Barbaresco & Alba. 100% destemmed. Open ferment, very little plunging, every 2 to 3 days. No post ferment soak. Old wood. 300ltr hogs head. Elevage for 12 to 14 months.
From the winemaker: “The Langhe Nebbiolo has evolved a little bit from what it was originally. It used to be 100% Roero fruit and called Nebbiolo d’Alba because that’s the zoning there. The past few years I’ve been incorporating/blending with fruit from young Barbaresco vineyards that’s essentially changed the name to Langhe Nebbiolo because you can’t call it Nebbiolo d’Alba if you’re getting fruit in the Barbaresco zone”
“The differing parcels go into open top fermenters that post ferment go to old wood for between 12 and 14 months aging. This vintage is now sourced 100% from the Barbaresco and Alba regions. It is 50% from our vineyards and 50% from two growers we work closely with based in Roncagliette (Barbaresco) and Serragrilli (Neive)” – David Fletcher
93 points, Gary Walsh The Wine Front “This is a lovely wine. Red cherry, liquorice, a dried rose perfume, a smattering of dried herb and orange peel. It’s medium-bodied, fresh and lively, a light stony/sandy grip to tannin, a juicy strawberry and cherry flavour, a light blood orange flavour on a spicy finish of excellent length. So nicely done, and so good to drink. Recommended.”
RRP $74 Our Special Price $62.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
