Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2016

Az. Agr. Sottimano | Piedmont
Az. Agr. Sottimano s.s.a. | Loc. Cottà 21 | IT 12052 Neive

29563316 · 0,75 l · 212,00 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately
Limitation of 4 articles per customer

There are vintages that change a winery forever. 2016 was such a turning point for Sottimano. After years of meticulous, consistent biodynamic work in the vineyards, Andrea Sottimano reached a point this year where cru and terroir expressed themselves with a clarity and precision that he had never experienced before. The decision to create a Riserva was not a continuation of tradition – previously, old vines from Pajoré and Cottà had been combined for this purpose –but a new beginning, a return to the pure terroir of a single vineyard: Currá. Andrea selected the best grapes for this premium selection from the oldest plots of this legendary 2.8-hectare cru in Neive, where 55 to 75-year-old Nebbiolo vines sink their roots deep into pure limestone. Only 3,000 bottles were intended to tell the story of this exceptional vintage – of a wine that combines complexity, elegance and richness like no other in the portfolio. The Riserva matures for 22 to 24 months in barrels, partly on the fine lees, before being bottled unfiltered and unfined and left to rest in the bottle for a few more years.

In the glass, the 2016 presents itself in a bright garnet red with brick-coloured reflections and an almost aristocratic appearance. The bouquet unfolds in layers: Dried rose petals and violets meld with ripe wild berries, black cherries and plums, while notes of burnt leather, eucalyptus and cedar add depth to the bouquet. Darker spices such as pepper, star anise and liquorice mingle with balsamic accents of tar and white truffle, while fine mineral nuances are reminiscent of crushed stone. On the palate, this Barbaresco has an impressive structure: full-bodied, powerful and yet with an elegance that only the best Nebbiolo wines from Neives can achieve. The tannin structure is monumental yet polished, the tannins tight and silky at the same time, carried by a lively acidity that gives the wine freshness and tension. Black cherry, pomegranate, tobacco and dark chocolate dominate the palate, accompanied by savoury herbs and a hint of French oak. The finish is of enormous length and persistence – a final that lingers for minutes with notes of liquorice, cinnamon and mineral freshness. A Barbaresco of monumental size and touching finesse that still needs years of cellar ageing to realise its full potential – ideal from 2026 with a maturation horizon well beyond 2045. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 is a dark, powerful wine that is very impressive. At almost ten years old, it is still a very young wine. Dark fruit, new leather, spice, menthol and espresso all come through beautifully in this generous Barbaresco. This is a particularly dense style. As good as the 2016 Riserva is, I think the wines being made today are even better and more precise." Vinous

"This spectacular wine, produced only in the best vintages and held back for a late release, represents a special selection of fruit from the oldest vines on a 1.5-hectare slope. The Sottimano 2016 Barbaresco Riserva M. Sottimano takes us back to one of the best vintages of the new millennium. The wines of the 2016 vintage manage the balancing act between elegance and power, a difficult endeavour, and this bottle offers us the additional pleasure of tertiary complexity. The bouquet is multi-layered with dried cherries, tarry spices, liquorice and rusty nails. The tannins are resolved and the wine retains a medium-bodied texture." Wine Advocate