Giacosa Fratelli Barbaresco Basarin Vigna Gianmate 2019

Regally robed and aromatically beautiful, the 2019 Giacosa Fratelli Barbaresco Basarin Vigna Gianmate (100% Nebbiolo emanating from the Gianmate Vineyard and its clay-rich sandstones) makes a tremendous first impression, which never fades. Enticing scents of cherry, raspberry, and wild violets dusted with hints of truffle and rain-washed woodlands greet the nose. Richly floral and fruit forward, Giacosa Fratelli’s 2019 Barbaresco Basarin Vigna Gianmate fills the mouth. As it airs, the wine’s core unfolds on the palate, revealing deep down fruit, spice, and woodland flavors, all of which are carried on an energetic flow of smooth, rich tannins. Focused and harmonious, this youthful wine is already quite enjoyable, but make no mistake: this single vineyard Barbaresco has at least 10 more years of drinking pleasure ahead of it. Anticipated maturity: 2025-2035. Serve at 58°-62° F, and enjoy!

The 2019 Giacosa Fratelli Barbaresco Basarin Vigna Gianmate highlights the food-friendly style of Barbaresco. Giacosa Fratelli’s elegant, yet full-flavored style provides the ideal match for many of Northern Italy’s signature dishes. Tender morsels of pounded veal sautéed in butter with mushrooms, wine, and savory herbs offers splendid companionship to this Barbaresco, especially when accompanied by a traditional Parmesan cheese risotto made with Italy’s own Arborio rice. Roast loin of pork, stuffed with a bread, onion, and herb farce provides another savory dish with which to enjoy this classic Barbaresco. A whole chicken cut up and cooked with a truffle infused risotto makes another extraordinary pairing with this wine. Game, highly flavored meats, and wild boar braised in rosemary, sage, garlic and Barbaresco wine provide additional tried and true companions to Giacosa Fratelli’s youthful 2019 Barbaresco Basarin Vigna Gianmate. And, as an exquisite Barbaresco is often the last wine served at a special meal, it also makes the ideal companion to soft and hard Italian cheeses, especially Parmesan and Provolone, which normally follow the main course throughout Italy. Buon Appetito!

Located in the heart of the Langhe, the Giacosa Fratelli story begins with the fortunes of four brothers: Leone, Giovanni Battista, Costantino, and Giuseppe who relocated to Nieve in the late 19th century to work as sharecroppers. Good fortune did not herald their arrival. Shortly thereafter, Leone died in a hunting accident. Giovanni Battista went on to study theology and become a parish priest, and Costantino enrolled in the national gendarmerie (Carabinieri). This left Giuseppe to work the land and dream of one day owning his own wine cellar, something a sharecropper could never afford.

As fortune had it, in 1895 a wine cellar came up for sale in Borgonuovo di Nieve in the heart of the Langhe and the home of Barbaresco, one of Italy’s most prized wines and a personal favorite. That same night Giuseppe had a dream, and the next day he played the National Lottery with the numbers he saw in his dream. Fortune smiled on Giuseppe and he bought the wine cellar with his winnings.

The Giacosa Fratelli story has continued and expanded with each successive generation. Today, Giacosa Fratelli is under the direction of Giuseppe’s great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren who tend nearly 125 acres of vineyards throughout the Langhe and fashion an exciting portfolio of red and white Piemontese wines, including the outstanding single vineyard 2019 Giacosa Fratelli Barbaresco Basarin Vigna Gianmate (this month’s feature). Giacosa Fratelli now has vineyards throughout Italy’s Piedmont and they fashion in the family winery a full array of the region’s best red and white wines: Barbaresco, Barolo, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Gavi, Arneis, and more. The wines are produced with a deep respect for the land using technology and innovation in conjunction with Piedmont’s traditional practices. We invite you to indulge yourself in Giacosa Fratelli’s good fortune!