2021 Montaribaldi Sori Barbaresco

100 percent Nebbiolo is your glass. The flagship winery of Montaribaldi, which, in our opinion, offers more than most (much) more expensive Barolos. The Sori is one of the top wines from the Talliano brothers' winery. It comes from the "south-facing" (Sori) vineyard on the slope near the house. A top-quality plot that consistently produces better wine. The vineyard is located in the municipality of Barbaresco and sits at an altitude of 270 meters with southerly (Sori) exposure. This is one of the reasons why this vineyard produces such beautifully ripe Nebbiolo grapes. Incidentally, the surrounding land is all Gaja. Thanks to the perfect location of Montaribaldi's vineyards and the characteristic white soil of the Langa hills, the elegant wines produced there are destined for longevity. Montaribaldi is a specialist in terroir wines, not a chemistry factory. Luciano believes that good wine should come from a good vineyard, and a vintage should reflect the terroir. We fully support this.

The grapes are destemmed and macerated for 14 days, 4 days at a temperature of 30-32°C, and 10 days at 27-28°C. At the end of fermentation, the wine is placed in new oak barrels for two years. After light fining, the wine is bottled and aged for another year in the Montaribaldi cellars, before the Sori Barberesco is released.

The Sori Barberesco is a very elegant wine with a rich aroma. In the glass, it has a deep garnet color with orange highlights. The aromas of roses and violets are clearly evident and blend well with the notes of plums, tobacco, cocoa, cloves, and black pepper. Powerful, with strong tannins, sweet and velvety. Length. It's definitely recommended to give the wine some oxygen in its younger years and to open it two hours beforehand, for a truly magnificent glass of wine. Balance, length, intensity, and concentration of flavors—everything is perfect in this wine.

FACT: In the "Attachments" tab, you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order it. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount . You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking.

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1. Pappardelle with beef and sage ragu

The full, savory meat sauce supports the wine's structure. The spiciness of sage enhances the floral and earthy notes of the Nebbiolo.

2. Veal shank with polenta and gremolata

The soft texture of the veal complements the tannic structure of the Barbaresco beautifully, while the fresh gremolata enhances the lively acidity in the wine.

3. Grilled portobello with balsamic vinegar and Parmesan shavings

A vegetarian dish with a deep umami flavour that complements the ripe fruit and spicy complexity of the wine.

4. Pheasant fillet with parsnip puree and mushroom jus

The earthy mushrooms, tender game meat and sweet parsnips combine to create a layered flavour profile that accentuates the finesse and depth of the Barbaresco.

5. Ravioli filled with roasted hazelnuts and minced veal in a butter-sage sauce

The nutty body and soft, creamy mouthfeel complement the wine thanks to the balance between acidity and ripe fruit.

6. Roast beef with truffle mayonnaise and arugula on toasted bread

The juiciness of the meat, the earthy character of the truffle and the spicy green provide a rich counterpoint to the complexity of the Nebbiolo.

BAROLO VS BARBERESCO

Piedmont—synonymous with truffles, risotto, and, of course, delicious wines!—is considered one of Italy's finest wine regions. The local terrain, soil, and weather conditions produce some fantastic wines. Among the red wines, Barolo and Barbaresco are world-renowned, powerful, age-defying wines. Although Barolo and Barbaresco are made from the same grape, Nebbiolo, and produced in neighboring areas less than 10 miles apart, the wines of Barbaresco and Barolo have several distinctive differences.

The Barbaresco region is located south of the Tanaro River, and due to its location, the region enjoys a slightly higher average temperature, allowing the Nebbiolo grape to ripen slightly earlier than in the Barolo region. The young tannins in a young Barbaresco are often not as harsh as those in Barolo, and under DOCG regulations, Barbaresco is permitted to be released for sale a year earlier than Barolo. The most striking difference between the two wines is that Barbaresco's tannins tend to soften more quickly, making the wine more accessible at a younger age than Barolo. The Barbaresco region is smaller than the Barolo region, with an annual production of approximately 35% of Barolo's, which means that Barbaresco is not as widely available on the market.