Bottler: Azienda Agricola Olek Bondonio I Via Riccardo Terzolo 14, 12050 Barbaresco / Italy
In the glass
Colour
Luminous amarena red with delicate rust-coloured hints and a transparent, elegantly fading rim.
Nose
A multi-layered bouquet of rosehip, mulberry, amarena and ripe fig, accompanied by coffee beans, liquorice, dark chocolate and floral notes of rose, hibiscus and violet; with air, lavender honey, hazelnut and chalky earthy tones join in.
Palate
Linear, profound yet agile: dark fruit of fig and amarena meets black pepper, juniper and fine roasted aromas; the tannins already feel astonishingly melted, yet build up as a supporting backbone, while the finish surprises with rosemary, thyme and ethereal freshness.
Character
A great Barbaresco that impresses less through power than through inner tension, complexity and elegance – serious, profound and with clear ageing potential.
Pairing
Classically with truffle dishes such as Tajarin al Tartufo, braised beef or leg of lamb, as well as robust hard cheeses like aged Castelmagno.
Notes
Sourced from the Starderi cru, a cooler, north-facing vineyard site with vibrant acidity and floral elegance; the estate has been working organically certified and biodynamically since 2018 on just seven hectares – the magnum bottle grants this rare wine additional ageing capacity over decades.
Tasting note
Colour & appearance
Luminous sour cherry red with delicate rust-coloured hints and a transparent, elegantly fading rim – Nebbiolo nobility, recognisable even in the glass.
Nose
An interplay of power and fragrance: rosehip, elderberry, mulberry and juicy amarena, behind which lies ripe fig. Alongside this, a multi-layered spiciness of freshly ground coffee beans, liquorice and dark chocolate in the sense of grated cocoa beans. Rose, hibiscus and violet blossoms lend lift, while chalky and earthy notes speak of origin. With air, a mysterious trace of lavender and lavender honey emerges, flanked by fresh hazelnuts.
Palate
Straightforward, generous, profound. The tannin initially appears astonishingly supple, but then builds up layer by layer to become the supporting backbone. Darker than the nose: violet, ripe fig and amarena, accompanied by black pepper, juniper and fine roasted aromas of coffee and cocoa. The fruit is tightly bundled, as if focused through a narrow beam of light – depth without weight, freshness without harshness.
Finish
Long and surprisingly ethereal: rosemary, thyme and fine herbal notes bring lightness into the finale, while the lavender honey trace lingers like a common thread throughout.
Terroir & origin
Starderi belongs to the absolute top tier of Barbaresco – a cooler, north-facing vineyard site that bestows vibrant acidity and floral elegance. Olek Bondonio cultivates seven hectares in the most famous crus of the appellation; his Cascina La Berchialla lies on the Roncagliette hill, next door to Angelo Gaja. His great-great-great-grandfather was among the co-founders of Produttori del Barbaresco in 1894 – a family heritage spanning more than 200 years.
Grape variety & vinification
Pure Nebbiolo, vinified dry, 13.5% vol. The estate has been organically certified since 2018, and biodynamic principles shape the daily work in the vineyard.
Food recommendations
Truffle risotto, braised ox cheeks, duck breast with dark jus or mature Castelmagno – dishes with depth that can stand up to the wine’s inner tension.
Special features
The magnum bottle promises an even slower, more generous maturation over decades. Add to this the signature of a former professional snowboarder who strives for perfection without taking himself too seriously – in the cellar, a skateboard halfpipe stands between the casks. A Barbaresco that does not overwhelm with power, but rather inspires quiet, long-lasting wonder.
