Cottá, Barbaresco DOCG 2017

Wine Description for Cottá Barbaresco DOCG 2017 by Sottimano

Colour & Appearance

Luminous ruby red with lively, almost transparent reflections – a classic portrait of Nebbiolo that promises both depth and elegance.

Nose

The nose is of striking complexity: fresh cherries and ripe red berries form the aromatic foundation, before herbaceous notes of marjoram and thyme come to the fore. Beneath these shimmer elegant wood spice – sandalwood, a whisper of vetiver – as well as black tea, dark tobacco and dried cherries in the aromatic finish. A Barbaresco that is in no hurry to open, and therein lies its charm.

Palate

On the palate, the Cottá displays the unmistakable character of Sottimano: firm, almost chewable tannins with real bite, carried by a precise, youthfully vibrant acidity. The 2017 vintage – warm and dry in Piedmont – lends the wine additional maturity and fullness without surrendering its structural tension. The balance between accessibility and youthful assertiveness is remarkable.

Finish

Long-lasting, with persistent tannins and a mineral-spicy aftertaste. Dried cherries and a hint of tobacco accompany the finish through to the finale.

Terroir & Origin

The Cottá comes from the eponymous single vineyard site in the heart of the Barbaresco DOCG region in Piedmont. The terroir is reflected directly in the wine’s precision and mineral tension.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Nebbiolo – the great, demanding Piedmontese grape variety – vinified by the renowned Azienda Agricola Sottimano, one of the most reliable producers in the Langhe. The ageing emphasises origin and structure over opulence.

Food Pairing Recommendations

A wine for the table: ideal with duck with red cabbage and dumplings, equally convincing with gurnard on grilled radicchio with bacon and balsamic. Those who prefer vegetarian options will find a congenial partner in cassoulet of white beans in tomato sauce with thyme and sage.

Special Characteristics

The 2017 vintage brings somewhat more accessible fruit compared to cooler years, without sacrificing the typical Sottimano bite. A wine that brings pleasure today – and will have even more to tell in five to ten years’ time.