Description
“Federico Scarzello is the third generation to make wine at his family’s estate in Barolo, taking over in 2001. The family started selling in bulk after WWII and bottled their first Barolo in 1978. Since then he has gone from strength to strength, his respect for traditional winemaking combined with an utter dedication to quality has meant that his wines today are among the best in the region.
Winemaking at Scarzello is very much in the tradtional style. Fermentations are long – in some vintages over 50 days on the skins – and the wines are given extended ageing in large old oak casks and bottle. In practice, this means that Scarzello wines are released a year or so later than others. The wines display texture and finesse, and a subtle power that demands attention.
Scarzello Giorgio e Figli is a small gem of an estate housed right in the middle of Barolo. This diminutive, traditional, Barolo domaine owns a mere five and a half hectares, nearly half of which are in Sarmassa, one of the region’s top crus located between Cannubi and Cerequio. Sarmassa delivers wines that are aromatically enticing, bursting with juicy sweet red fruits and irresistible silky textures.
Federico and his father, Giorgio, took the bold decision to make a wholesale replanting in the late nineties. In 2001 Federico – after completing his studies in winemaking and agriculture at the Scuola Enologica (School of Enology) in Alba and the University of Turin – took over sole running of the estate and set about taking it to the next level, adjusting certain aspects of the winemaking whilst remaining greatly respectful to the family’s traditional ways.
Today the winery has five and a half hectares planted to Nebbiolo, including 2.5 hectares devoted to the production of Barolo, 2 hectares in the famed Sarmassa cru of Barolo, and another half hectare in Terlo and Paiagallo, both highly coveted sites.
“This Langhe Nebbiolo is made from grapes from the young vines of the Barolo Cru Sarmassa vineyard, as well as from the Sinio vineyard at an altitude of 550 meters, as well as from a 50-year-old plot in Madonna di Como, located at an altitude of 500 meters in the hills near Alba and rented by the family. Starting with the 2022 vintage, grapes from the Bricco delle Viole vineyard, which has gained notoriety through the Vajra family, will also be used. At Scarzello, the wine is also made with a high standard of craftsmanship, involving 100 percent hand-picking, fermentation with wild yeasts, followed by 20 to 25 days of maceration on the grape skins, and subsequent 12-month aging in 5,000-, 3,000-, and 2,500-liter wooden barrels, as well as several 500-liter oak tonneaux. Each vineyard is cultivated separately until the blend is created shortly before bottling. The Nebbiolo spends another six months in bottle before release. Brilliant, delicate ruby red in the glass. The nose of this little Nebbiolo is fruity, clear, intensely earthy, and yet strangely delicate. A pimped-up Chambolle-Musigny! Juicy, ripe cherries, raspberries, and fragrant wild strawberries with a hint of vanilla. Subtle acidic notes such as hibiscus and ethereal herbs, a touch of incense, tar, floating raspberry leaf, orange zest, sage, and fragrant hay gradually emerge. Wow, this little wine is really packed with flavour! The finely smoky earthiness is wonderfully interwoven. In the mouth, fine-grained, ripe, yet structured, grippy tannins crawl across the tongue. Playful and ethereally complex, the wine has a refreshingly refreshing freshness. The ripe red cherry fruit leaves behind the delicately bitter herbal aromas of an amaro liqueur. Rosehips and cranberries emerge on the finish. The wine vibrates with freshness and salty minerality – I immediately crave another sip. This Nebbiolo is a little temptation and a fabulous introduction to the wines of this (still!) unknown winery. Juicy and structured, with brilliant complexity. A real eye-catcher – this is one of the best Langhe Nebbiolo in the region!” 94-95/100 Heiner Lobenberg – gute-weine.de
RRP $97 Our Special Price $77.99 – while stocks last.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.