Vintage 2020
The vintage began with a mild winter followed by the months of March and April marked by fine weather and little rainfall. The rainy days of May and June caused a slowdown in plant growth. The situation was later normalized. The haverst started on August 21 with AltaLanga. Barbera and Nebbiolo ripening has slowed down but it has been taken up in the second half of September. Especially Nebbiolo grapes were harvested in optimal conditions. The 2020 vintage can be said to be extremely good with intense and elegant aromas and with well-balanced wines.
Wine details
Vintage: 2020
Winemaker: Paolo Giacosa
Grapes: 100% Barbera d’Alba
Growing Area: San Defendente (Canale)
Alcohol: 14,50 % by volume
Food: It pairs with pasta, risotto, barbecue, cheese and salami.
Characters
Young Aged
Light Bodied
Sweet Dry
Steel Oak
Winemaker's Notes
Colour: Deep ruby red with typical purple hues.
Nose: Wide, complex, vinous with notes of violet, cherry, currant, spices and tobacco while being very persistent.
Palate: Rich of currant flavours, amazingly fresh, velvety, medium to full body, fine texture, with pleasant silky acidity softened by ageing in oak.
Serving: 16 - 18 °C
Cellaring: 8 - 10 years
Vineyard Information
Exposure: S, SW
Vines age: 15 - 30 years
Soil: Sandy - loamy
Yield: 7000 kg/ha
Harvests: 100% hand-harvested
Training system: Guyot
Farming practices: Sustainable Viticulture
Winemaking Information
PRE-FERMENTATION PROCEDURES: Grape bunches are hand-sorted on a vibrating table and chilled with carbonic snow to avoid oxidation and reduce considerably the use of sulphur. After destemming, berries are hand-sorted on a second vibrating table and finally softly crushed.
This process is “100% screw conveyor free” to handle grapes as gently as possible.
FERMENTATION PROCESS: The must is cooled to preserve its best characters before fermentation in stainless steel vats and conic oak vats at controlled temperature. The maceration is medium acting using délestage and, partially, submerged cap technique for over 18 days.
OAK REFINEMENT: The ageing of 18 months is made in medium size oak casks (2500-4000 litres) and a little part in barriques and tonneaux.
The difference is...
SAN DEFENDENTE BARBERA D’ALBA is a ripe, multifaceted and amazing Barbera showing an appealing richness in red fruit flavours.
Thanks to the careful handling from the harvest to the oak refining, the grape characters are perfectly included in the wine.
