Domenico Clerico - Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra DOCG 2021

Aromas of cherry, dried flowers, nutmeg, menthol, and orange peel. Full-bodied and structured on the palate, with ripe yet firm tannins, lively acidity, and a long, spicy finish. A classic, layered Barolo with great depth.

Excellent with roasted wild duck, veal with sage, and slow-cooked lamb shoulder. Also particularly lovely with tajarin with butter and truffle, ravioli del plin with game ragu, or risotto with roasted hazelnuts and mushrooms. Serve at 17 °C.

Just as almost every legendary Barolo estate has its own special story, this is certainly true of Domenico Clerico in Monforte d’Alba, on the border with Barolo. Poverty was widespread in the region, and no one had yet become wealthy from the sale of Barolo. After much hesitation, in 1976 he took over two hectares of vineyards and two hectares of peach trees from his father. In a document regarding the acquisition of the farm, he noted: "...the land on which we live has a value that we do not yet fully understand...". This proved to be incredibly visionary.

The estate now owns 21 hectares of vineyards in the most prestigious crus such as Bussia, Ginestra, Pajana, and Mosconi, and its wines are highly sought after worldwide. Sadly, the great visionary himself passed away too soon in 2017. His top Barolo, Percristina, serves as a tribute to his daughter who passed away at a young age. The Barolo Ciabot Mentin is named after the former owner of the Ginestra site. The Barolo Aeroplanservaj is named after the nickname his father gave him, which loosely translates to "lively rascal." In one way or another, Domenico always remained that rascal—mischievous, headstrong, and humorous. This also applied to his labels. Because he liked all the designs by a Florentine artist, Aeroplan Servaj is only available in a wooden case of six bottles, each with a different label. These art boxes have been very popular with collectors for years.

Domenico was a modernist and was at the forefront of everything that signaled progress. He was, therefore, one of the first winemakers to experiment with barriques and rotofermenters, something that made his wines very popular in the American market at the time. Especially for this market, the Clerico estate still produces a Langhe Rosso, which is aged in new barriques. The fact that Clerico stayed ahead of trends served them well. The shift toward a more traditional approach ten years ago, during which the Barolo wines were largely aged in large casks (botte), has also been a masterstroke that has given the company an additional boost in quality. It is not without reason that the Barolo wines of Domenico Clerico consistently receive 92+ ratings from leading wine journalists. Since Domenico's passing, it is his wife, Giuliana Viberti Clerico, who, together with the highly skilled oenologist and winemaker Oscar Arrivabene, continues to run the winery, ensuring and, where possible, even increasing the quality. The vineyards and the cantina itself were bequeathed to his niece Cecilia and nephew Orlando. For several years now, they have been taking their first steps in the iconic cantina left to them by their uncle. They have big shoes to fill, but judging by recent developments, the Clerico winery has a bright future ahead.

Originating from Ciabot Mentin in Ginestra, Monforte d’Alba. The vineyard is situated at an altitude of 390–420 meters and was planted in 1978. The fossil-rich Marne di Sant’Agata soil contributes to structure, minerality, and elegance.

Traditionally vinified with 15–20 days of skin maceration. The wine is then aged for 16 months in French barriques and a further 16 months in large Slavonian botti. This combination gives the wine structure and complexity, while keeping the terroir central.

The 2021 combines powerful tannins and vibrant acidity with deep concentration and a strong mineral structure. Still young and clearly needs time to fully come into its own. Can be cellared until approximately 2045–2050.