Fratelli Barale Barolo Chinato NV

Description

“The transformation at Barale over the last handful of years is nothing less than remarkable. … Today, under the guidance of Eleonora Barale and winemaker Stefano Dellapiana, the wines, the Barolos in particular are fabulous. The 2016 vineyard designates are even better from bottle than they were from cask last year.  Best of all, pricing has not caught up yet. Readers in search of fine, traditionally-made Barolos that won’t break the bank will want to check out Barale immediately.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, Oct 2020

Monica Larner from Wine Advocate writes: “One of the oldest estates in the Langhe, Fratelli Barale was founded in 1870, shortly after the Barolo denomination was created with the help of Marchesi Falletti and founding father of modern Italy, Count of Cavour, Camillo Benso. Sergio Barale and his daughters manage the estate today. The various expressions of Barolo are all aged from two to three years in botte grande.”

Have visited this estate at their ‘cantina’ a few times on the cobblestones of Via Roma in the heart of the town of Barolo just down from Maria Teresa of Bartolo Mascarello and have been hugely impressed by their wines.

Made with Barolo D.O.C.G. Castellero aged for at least 10 years. According to the original recipe the wine is aromatized with a natural infusion of China Calissaja bark, Rhubarb root, Gentian and other aromatic herbs. Fortified with alcohol in order to reach an alcohol content of 17 %, it rests for at least a year in 700 l oak barrels
before bottling. Brick red tending towards orange in colour, spicy and intense nose with cinnamon and rhubarb notes.

Well balanced between the bitterness of China Calissaja and the sweetness of the sugar. Dry finish and slightly tannic, similar to an aged Barolo.

Perfect as an after dinner drink. Excellent paired with bitter dark chocolate and biscuits. (500 ml bottle)