2008 and 2006 Sottimano Barbaresco
Classic Gems Newly Available
January 12, 2012
Left - The Town of Barbaresco
Cotta, Fausoni, Pajore, and Curra are four distinct pieces of ground in the Barbaresco region of Piemonte. All are planted to old vine Nebbiolo and all are owned and farmed by Rino and Andrea Sottimano. Each of these Nebbiolo vineyards is farmed with the same meticulous care and each wine is made exactly the same way. Here is the good part. Because of the different exposures, altitudes and soils, each wine is very distinct and has its own identity. When walking in these vineyards one is particularly struck by the strong influence of the sky. It is felt certainly with the sun and the rain, yet even more so with the strength and direction of the wind. Cotta is the most fruit driven and floral. Fausoni combines elegance and power with rich fruit. Pajore is driven by elegance and spice while Curra is defined by power and structure.
The best wines from the 2008 vintage in Barbaresco and Barolo will be my favorites of the decade. They exhibit a rare elegant style that is everything I look for in great Nebbiolo. I have also never seen Andrea so excited about the quality of a vintage as with 2008. These wines will age for decades and are ideal in every way. Antonio Galloni said “ This is a stunning set of wines from the Sottimano family.”
The 2006 vintage in Piemonte also produced classic wines of great structure and ageability. Galloni called the 2006 wines from Sottimano “divine” while the Wine Spectator said they are “very serious”. I’m not sure what that means. I do know that the 2006 Sottimano Barbarescos are among the greatest wines for the price I have ever seen in my life. We happily sold all we could get two years ago.
Here is the good news. On my most recent visit to Piemonte last June I shared a very nice lunch in Barbaresco with Andrea at which time he offered to release a few more cases of these fabulous 2006 wines to us and they have now arrived. The 2008s will arrive early next month.
2008
2008 Sottimano Barabresco Cotta: Bright ruby. Powerful, rich dark plum and cherry fruit aromas with a tint of flower and licorice. Plenty of dark fruit, red currant and warm herbal notes on the palate with a rich balanced finish. Excellent 64.00/bottle
2008 Sottimano Barabresco Fausoni: Bright ruby. rose petal, violet, and spice aromas with dark cherry at the core. Intense fruit flavors with ample structure and notes of cedar and herb in a wonderfully structured finish. Excellent 64.00/bottle
2008 Sottimano Barbaresco Curra: Bright ruby. Intense dark fruit aromas, tobacco, tar, leather and smoke. Rich fruit and floral flavors with intense and bold structure and long, long finish. Excellent to Superb 70.00/bottle
2008 Sottimano Barabresco Pajore: Bright transparent ruby. Dark cherry and licorice with hints of pine, lots of spice character. Precise, balanced flavors of dark fruit and spice, elegant finish with defined structure. Excellent 64.00/bottle
2006
2006 Sottimano Barbaresco Curra: Bright ruby. Complex aromas emerge after a few minutes with bright cherry, tar, licorice and tobacco. Rich but still closed on the palate with a great sense of size and structure. Powerful, elegant finish. Excellent to Superb 70.00/bottle
2006 Sottimano Barabresco Pajore: Light bright ruby. Dark cherry and berry, rose hips, with a deep undercurrent of peppery asian spice. Ripe fruit and floral flavors with a spicy dry, elegant tannic finish. Excellent 64.00/bottle
Special mixed case: Any combination of twelve bottles of the above for a special discount of 15%
Special six pack: Any combination of six bottles of the above for a special discount of 10%
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve by email here: Orders
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