Barolo (along with Brunello di Montalcino) is undoubtedly the most famous Italian red wine in the world, a well-deserved reputation that has consolidated over the past 20 years of oenological history, mainly thanks to several top quality bottles made possible by the efforts of growers who have made rigor and dedication to land and vine their only creed.
In my point of view, Barolo is an austere wine, graceful, combining power and elegance in the chalice, while the aromas are intense, varied, never flat: a kaleidoscope of emotions, the highest possible expression of the Nebbiolo grape grown in the precious lands of Barolo DOCG.
The first Barolo I have the honor of introducing is the “Bric del Fiasc” 2007 vintage of the Paolo Scavino estate in Castiglione Falletto (Cuneo province), in the Langhe, whose landscapes – in Piedmont – have been recognized by Unesco as a World Heritage Site.
The Paolo Scavino company was founded in 1921. The first vintage of this Barolo “Bric del Fiasc” dates back to 1978, when Enrico convinced his father Paolo to make wine exclusively out of grapes from the Fiasco vineyard (which were always the best of the harvest), after which the wine was named.
“Bric del Fiasc” is really “One of the first grand cru to be made as single vineyard Barolo”.
The secret behind the beauty and originality of this Barolo is the Fiasco soil itself, consisting of two well-defined types of fossil marl (locally called “tov”): Helvetian land, consisting of very compact gray marl; and Tortonian land, rich in less compact blue marl. The vines grow in this particular soil mixed with small sandy marl and clay portions, thus making the vineyard highly suited for the cultivation of grapes, and the Nebbiolo variety in particular.
The company now covers 23 hectares of vineyards and is run by Enrico Scavino’s daughters, Enrica and Elisa, representing the fourth family generation. The Scavinos’ motto is: “Viticulture before oenology”, meaning wine is produced first and foremost in the vineyard.
Tasting notes about Barolo Bric del Fiasc 2007
2007 was a great year for the whole Barolo area.
Exhibiting a not particularly intense red garnet look , this nectar expresses itself with vivid aromas showing aspects of freshness and evolution both: violet flowers and wild berries, then dark chocolate, pipe tobacco, coffee beans on a background of balsamic notes such as licorice. When drunk, the earthy aroma of the soil from which the grapes were cultivated comes to the fore. The taste is very fresh, slender, lively, long, with good smoothness and flavor while tannins are also present and smooth as silk. Balanced, persistent, enveloping and lively taste.
More technical details. Vinification: 100% destemming and soft crushing. The maceration (10 days) and the alcoholic fermentation (18 days) were in the stainless steel with temperature controlled and indigenous yeasts followed by malolactic fermentation in 2,25 hl barrels over the winter. The tartaric stabilization occurred naturally during the winter of the 3rd year when the Barolo has been racked in stainless steel.
Aging: 10 months in 1st – 2nd – 3rd passage French oak barrels (2,25 hl) and further 12 months in French oak cask (50 hl). 10 months in stainless steel followed by 10 months of bottle aging.
First vintage: 1978 with 2.400 bottles. Barolo Bric del Fiasc is a wine that can be drunk with great satisfaction even after 20 years.
Vintage 2007: 9.700 bottles produced
DOCG: wine with denomination of controlled and guaranteed origin
My rating: 94/100 – Retail Price: € 85 – $ 90