Ugo Lequio - Barbaresco Gallina DOCG 2014

On the nose, a juicy blend of overripe red fruit, tobacco, and spicy notes. Refined and supple on the palate, with ripe tannins and a beautiful balance between fruit, earthy depth, and spices. The wine has developed great softness without losing its tension and length.

Beautiful with porcini or truffle, roasted game and slow-cooked beef. Also delicious with aged cheeses. Serve at 18 °C.

Ugo Lequio is a story unto himself. In 1981, he started his own small, almost ‘garage’-style winery without owning a single vine. Born and raised in Neive as the youngest son of a winemaking family, he knew the area and the best vineyards like no other. His winery is located right next to the famous Gallina hill, home to the historic Cascina Nuova, now owned by the Marcarino family.

Since the family vineyards did not belong to him, Ugo chose a different path: he set out to find the best grapes. He started with Barbera from the Marcarino family and built a relationship of trust with them over the years. Eventually, he managed to convince them to sell him a portion of their precious Nebbiolo as well. These grapes previously went to the legendary winemaker Bruno Giacosa.

Ugo does almost everything himself and personally supervises vineyard management. His grape selection is extremely meticulous and his winemaking is decidedly traditional. Furthermore, he deliberately gives his wines more time than the regulations require. Aging takes place in large wooden botti, followed by further rest in his cellar in Neive.

This combination of patience, precision, and craftsmanship yields wines with depth, structure, and a distinct character of their own. Ugo is a true artisan who prioritizes quality over production and only releases his wines when he feels they are ready.

Kerin O’Keefe of Wine Enthusiast described his Arneis as “a fantastic expression of Arneis” from one of the best, yet still remarkably little-known, producers in the Langhe.

Top MGA Gallina in Neive, a historic vineyard with a southern exposure and old Nebbiolo vines. The vineyard is renowned for elegant, structured, and long-lived Barbarescos.

Traditionally vinified in stainless steel tanks with 15–18 days of skin maceration. The wine is then aged for 20 months in large 25 hl Slavonian oak barrels, followed by 6 months of bottle aging.

The 2014 has now fully developed and beautifully showcases the tertiary side of Nebbiolo, with tobacco, earthy notes, and dried fruit. It is currently drinking excellently and is primarily meant to be enjoyed now, but can continue to develop for a few more years under good conditions.