2012 Cigliuti Barbaresco Vie Erte, Piedmont

100% Nebbiolo from 15-year-old vines from the Barbaresco cru of Bricco di Neive. The site is 350m above sea level on calcareous and sandy soils. The fruit is fermented and macerated in steel vats at controlled temperatures before maturation of 26 months in Slavonian oak barrels.

Bottled just a month ago, the 2012 Barbaresco Vie Erte is quite closed and compact today, especially in feel, but the classic red-toned profile of Erte is very much present in the glass. Crushed flowers, sweet red berries, orange peel, mint and white pepper give the 2012 an attractive upper register and a level of delineation that is unusual in this vintage. The steep site, planted just in 1997, has really begun to come around and produce fabulous wines. The Vie Erte was aged entirely in cask. 93 points. Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media December 2015