Domenico Clerico

In contrast to the past, this full and fragrant Barbera is now aged to a greater extent in large oak barrels - and less in barriques. This benefits the softness, fruitiness and suppleness of this beautiful wine. Tre Vigne means that the grapes come in equal parts from the top sites Mosconi, Ginestra and San Pietro. Deep dark ruby red. In the bouquet fine scent of sour cherries and violets, in the full and soft taste a pleasantly fresh acidity which refines the long drinking pleasure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Concentrated violet crimson. Lifted fresh black fruit with more than a hint of oak. Succulent blackberry fruit. Fine tannins. Supple and long." Jancis Robinson

"The Domenico Clerico 2017 Barbera d'Alba Trevigne is a dark and exuberant wine with thick layers of blackberry and plum. The 2017 vintage is all about intensity and roundness, showing a quality of fruit that is ripe for sure, but is also nuanced, measured and cautious. The longer I kept my nose in the glass, I found a point of raisin or dried prune (that is typical of this vintage), but those ripe tones felt natural, not forced or pushed in any way. Fruit comes from three sites with different exposures: the west-facing San Pietro vineyard, northeast-facing Ginestra and south-facing Ciabot Mentin." Robert Parker

A strongly Nebbiolo variant of a Langhe Rosso and thus in the appearance of a Barolo with the discreetly juicy and fruity component of the Barbera grape. In the bouquet some cherry and blueberry, then autumn leaves, walnuts and forest soil. In the drink very soft and delicate, the polished tannins make it appear smoother and more accessible than the Nebbiolo dominance would suggest. A wine of great freshness and complexity, with good structure and made for a long life. SUPERIORE.DE

"Mid to deep ruby. Exuberant oak and fruit nose with the spiciness of Nebbiolo coming through. Rich but not sweet cherry fruit with a minty edge. Bags of concentration." Jancis Robinson

"Really pretty red with soft, fine tannins and pretty red fruit. Citrus undertones. It’s medium-bodied, polished and fruity." James Suckling

Forest fruits in the bouquet, in addition ink, tobacco and gentian. The juicy, full taste is supported by velvety tannins of only very little astringency and goes through a great development in the glass, which is already inspiring. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lustrous mid ruby. Freshness and lift on the nose and with plenty of depth. Just a touch of oak. Lush and fresh palate with a polished, grainy layer of tannins. A wine to drink gallons of." Jancis Robinson

"The 2016 Barolo is bright, fresh and full of life. Medium in body and perfumed, the straight Barolo will give readers a good idea of the direction the estate is headed in. Light on its feet and nuanced, with good energy, the 2016 is quite attractive. But more than that, it points to a very bright future here." Vinous

"This red is fresh, elegant and underscored by a solid tannic structure. A bit compact midpalate, compressing the black cherry, blackberry, iron, tobacco and spice flavors. Sleek and long, with terrific balance." Wine Spectator

"The classic 2016 Barolo by Domenico Clerico is a generous and full wine that offers a panoramic view of the Nebbiolo grape all in bright Technicolor and with the appropriate intensity. The wine's all-encompassing approach brings many details into focus, including wild cherry, spice, leather and ferrous soil. Fruit is exclusively from Monforte d'Alba, with some from the lower parts of Pajana and Per Cristina and some from the younger vines planted in Ciabot Mentin. This is an elegant expression with the mild oak signature that is an important part of the Clerico playlist. Camphor ash and burnt embers lift lightly as the wine opens in the glass." Robert Parker

"Plums, cured meat and white truffles. Pretty aromas. Full-bodied with chewy, ripe tannins and a long, flavorful finish. It’s very structured with lots of ripe tannins and ripe fruit that envelop the phenolics. Solid and real. Give it time to soften and come together. Try after 2023." James Suckling

Pajana - the most modern wine of the entire Clerico range - presents itself closed, compressed and with great potential. Rich ruby with a light garnet edge. Compact nose, shows rich notes of blackberry, dark cherries, in the background some cinchona bark. Explodes formally on the palate, much ripe, present fruit, then opens with much fine-meshed tannin, salty depth, rich pressure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lustrous and concentrated ruby. A hint of sweet oak, but very closed on the nose. With aeration the purity of the fruit emerges. Very polished and elegant with fine grainy tannins and great acidity. Very long and elegant." Jancis Robinson

"The 2014 Barolo Pajana is a very pretty that balance the natural richness of this site with the more floral, savory notes that are typical of this cool, late-ripening vintage. Sweet red cherry fruit, rose petal, mint, sage and anise add attractive aromatic top notes. Time in the glass brings out redder tonalities of fruit, with shades of pomegranate, blood orange that lead into the super-expressive finish. This is very nicely done." Antonio Galloni

"Extremely floral and bright. Dried lavender and strawberries follow through to a full body with round and juicy tannins. Solid finish. This is structured and powerful." James Suckling

"The Pajana vineyard is known for its loose, sandy soils and red-colored earth, and the 2014 growing season brought cool and wet conditions. This cru is a nice, loyal expression of those Nebbiolo grapes. The 2014 Barolo Pajana is dark and thickly structured, and probably more accessible overall. This wine can be enjoyed in the medium-term, after five years (more or less) of cellar time." Robert Parker

The great Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra from the historic Clerico vineyard. Open-hearted bouquet of ripe fruits and spices, the elegant tannins are accompanied by a pleasant freshness in taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lustrous mid ruby. A shade darker in fruit and deeper than Pajana.  A fine, long-lasting layer of clayey tannins. Vivid acidity. Very complete and a little more muscular than the Pajana, but the whole is truly elegant." Jancis Robinson

" This is a sensational 2014 with such power and finesse. Aromas of dried flowers, dark berries and light earth follow through to a full body, with tight and super polished tannins and a long, long finish." James Suckling

Pajana - the most modern wine of the entire Clerico range - presents itself closed, compressed and with great potential. Rich ruby with a slight garnet edge. Compact nose, reveals rich notes of blackberry, dark cherry, with some china bark in the background. Explodes formally on the palate, lots of ripe, present fruit, then opens up with lots of fine-meshed tannin, salty depth, rich pressure.SUPERIORE.DE

"A tough customer, with big, burly tannins dominating any fruit at this stage. Nonetheless, this is not overly astringent, and may just need more time. Fresh and long on the finish." Wine Spectator

"The Domenico Clerico 2015 Barolo Pajana opens to a beautifully saturated color with dark garnet and ruby highlights. Compared to the 2016 vintage that I tasted at the same time, this wine is more robust, structured and deeper. In some cases, I prefer 2016 to 2015, but this is one case in which the warmer vintage ushers forth a special and very attractive level of intensity. The bouquet is layered, multifaceted and fluid. Despite the many adjectives you could use to describe the bouquet, one thing does not change and that is the sheer intensity of this impressive Barolo Pajana." Robert Parker

Pajana - the most modern wine of the entire Clerico range - presents itself closed, compressed and with great potential. Rich ruby with a slight garnet edge. Compact nose, reveals rich notes of blackberry, dark cherry, with some china bark in the background. Explodes formally on the palate, lots of ripe, present fruit, then opens up with lots of fine-meshed tannin, salty depth, rich pressure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lustrous mid ruby. Bright, red fruit with a certain roundness to it. Polished palate of red fruit and firm, but ripe tannins and a wonderful succulent finish with clinging tannins. Firm grip and endless fresh fruit." Jancis Robinson

"The aromas are shy but the flavors are expressive, featuring black cherry, blackberry, plum, licorice and tobacco notes. Showing burly tannins, this powerful red will take a little longer to come around." Wine Spectator

"The opulence and intensity is impressive on the nose from the beginning, showing plums, ripe strawberries, mushrooms and smoked meat. It’s full-bodied and chewy with a tight, focused palate of ripe fruit and chewy tannins. Compact and tight. Give this time, please. Try after 2023 at least." James Suckling

"The Domenico Clerico 2016 Barolo Pajana draws its fruit from a parcel within the Ginestra cru that was planted in two phases, first in 1971 and again in 1991. It lies 350 meters above sea level and sees looser sandy soils compared to the higher-altitude parts of the vineyard (that delineates Ciabot Mentin). These conditions lead to extra richness and a velvety texture. Pajana is guided by a deep sense of elegance and finesse. The aromas show a smooth succession of cassis, black currant, blood orange, spice, camphor ash and smoke. The wine's length is what stands out, as you taste those Nebbiolo characteristics for many long minutes." Robert Parker

"The 2007 Barolo Aeroplan Servaj is plush, rich and voluminous, all qualities that are typical of the year. Dark red cherries, mocha, flowers and spices are woven together beautifully in this soft (for Barolo), sensual wine. Silky tannins frame the rich, seamless finish. The 2007 probably won’t be a long-term ager, but my guess is most bottles will have long been enjoyed before that is an issue." Robert Parker

"Dark, garnet red colour. Rather discreet character with restrained fruit; however, well structured on the palate with excellent length." Markus del Monego

"Blackberries and flowers on the nose follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a mouth-puckering finish. Needs a number of years to soften. This is a new wine from the super winemaker Dominico Clerico." James Suckling

A beautiful, very sensual, feminine wine, vinified only in the best vintages. Exquisitely scented with dark fruit, elegant and fine on the palate with lots of fruit and long. It was named after the nickname that the young wild Clerico once got from his father: Aeroplan Servaj - wild plane. And just as wild and creative is the decoration of the bottles, but see for yourself! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Barolo Aeroplan Servaj is powerful and incisive, with plenty of Serralunga tannin that gives the wine tension. Red cherry and red plum fruit pulse with real energy all the way through to the finish, with a whole range of savory and iron/mineral accents that add complexity. Deceptive in its mid-weight, structure, the 2016 has a lot to offer." Vinous

"A soft, silky red with fine, round tannins. Medium-bodied with berries, orange peel, cedar and milk-chocolate powder. Some tile, too. It’s persistent and focused. Lovely refinement. Better after 2023." James Suckling

"Aeroplan Servaj or "little airplane" is the affectionate nickname that Domenico's father gave to his young "free spirited" son. The Domenico Clerico 2016 Barolo Aeroplan Servaj is tightly wound and nervous at this young stage. The wine needs some coaxing before it relaxes to release wild cherry, candied orange peel, tilled earth and rusty nail. There is some distant sweetness in the primary fruit, but the wine is mostly defined by its very sophisticated, rich, sultry and savory sides. Between these two vintages (2015 and 2016), this wine is poised to ultimately deliver better results once it gets further down its evolutionary track. It delivers impeccable balance and linearity." Robert Parker