Bruno Giacosa Barolo DOCG

Barolo DOCG, Piemonte

The 2018 vintage was well received after the turbulent 2017 growing year. A longer winter heralded in heavy rains in May and June, which gave the vines much needed water after the previous year's drought. Throughout the summer, conditions were generally ideal with warm days and cool nights, making harvest an overall success. Early samples of Barbaresco and Barolo are indicating a soft, balanced vintage.

Tasting Notes

Red garnet in color. Intense and fine aromas of fresh red fruit. The palate presents good freshness, excellent structure and fine, velvety tannins.

Technical Info

Grape variety: Nebbiolo
Vineyard exposure: Southwest
Age of vines: 27-31 years old
Yield: 45 hL/ha
Harvest date: October 10, 2018
Fermentation and maceration: 25 days in stainless steel vats
Malolactic fermentation: completely developed
Refinement: 30 months in Botti cask of French oak, 6 months in bottle
Bottling: December 2021
Alcohol: 14.5% vol.
Total acidity: 5.5 g/L
pH: 3.60
Total extract: 30.2 g/L
Optimal period for consumption: 2022-2035

The 2017 vintage will be a year to remember for the challenges that growers faced from Mother Nature, namely hot weather and very little rain. Surprisingly, the wines produced do not show any notes of over-ripeness commonly found in a hot year. This balance in the wines is attributed to the stark temperature swings with cool summer nights tempering the hot days. The Barbaresco is fruit-driven with good acidity, and the Barolo is rich and austere.

Tasting Notes

Red garnet in color. Intense and fine aromas of fresh red fruit. The palate presents good freshness, excellent structure and fine, velvety tannins.

Technical Info

Grape variety: Nebbiolo
Vineyard exposure: Southwest
Age of vines: 26-31 years old
Yield: 45 hL/ha
Harvest date: September 25, 2017
Fermentation and maceration: 20 days in stainless steel vats
Malolactic fermentation: completely developed
Refinement: 32 months in Botti cask of French oak, 6 months in bottle
Bottling: December 2020
Alcohol: 14.5% vol.
Total acidity: 5.45 g/L
pH: 3.55
Total extract: 28.4 g/L
Optimal period for consumption: 2021-2045

Created from a balanced growing season and a summer that was never too hot, 2016 will be a vintage to remember for the quality of the wines produced. Low humidity, no heat spikes and perfectly timed rain resulted in one of the latest harvests in the last few years. The Nebbiolo from this year is full-bodied and fragrant, and the Barolos and Barbarescos are grand wines that will only benefit from extended aging. A classic vintage of old times.