Attilio Ghisolfi Barolo Bricco Visette 2012 DOCG (WS 93)

Wine Spectator 93 points.
Jancis Robinson 17.5/20.

Dosed with quite generous new oak scent on the nose, which I'd imagine might rile some Barolo fans - but the quality of flavour is excellent, and there is plenty of fruit, spice and structure to match. Richard Hemming MW.


Barolo has ancient origins. Documents testify to the growing of Nebbiolo in the Visette area as long ago as the XII century, when the Saracen invasions advanced inland into Piedmont from the Ligurian coast.

These influences led to the old centre of the village of Monforte being named “Saracca”. The name Visette itself comes from the local dialect word for the vine, “vis”. Made from Nebbiolo grapes grown in the Visette (Bussia) area of Monforte d’Alba. The vines are 20 to 50 years old.

Vinification:
maceration on the skins for 15/18 days, with careful controlling of the temperature, and natural fermentation brought on by native yeasts.
Maturing:
70% in oak casks holding 25-30 Hl, and 30% in small oak (tonneaux) of 500 litres for 30 months.
Ageing:
in the bottle for 6 months.
Colour:
dark garnet red.
Nose:
elegant and intense red fruit, menthol overtones (when younger), spices.
Taste:
rich and majestic, with medium tannic structure.

#Ghisolfi