Cottá, Barbaresco DOCG 2021

Wine Description for Cottá Barbaresco DOCG 2021 by Sottimano

Colour & Appearance

Luminous cherry red with bright, almost transparent reflections and a fine hint of russet accents at the rim – typical of a Nebbiolo that carries its maturity with dignity.

Nose

The nose is complex and multi-layered, yet possessed of striking precision. Rose hip, wild strawberry and raspberry form the fruity foundation, complemented by cranberry and a whisper of barberry. Beneath lies an earthy, almost meditative depth: undergrowth, forest floor and cooling pine needles. Balsamic notes of cedarwood, cigar box and bright tobacco lend the wine gravitas. With air it gains breadth – freshly chopped hazelnuts dominate, and a promising chalky minerality emerges.

Palate

On the palate, Cottá effortlessly unites elegance and structure. The fruit – rose hip, wild strawberry, rooibos – feels warm and silky, without any harshness. The tannin unfolds subtly and clothes the mouth, accompanied by pleasant bitterness and nutty aromatics. Hazelnut and walnut are clearly discernible. Again and again, a cooling, mineral freshness asserts itself – the heart of this wine.

Finish

Long, spicy and marked by impressive minerality. Red and black pepper, rosemary and thyme linger – a finish that invites contemplation.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from the single vineyard site Cottá in Neive, one of the classic Barbaresco communes. Sottimano has farmed this parcel organically since the 1970s – a commitment to terroir and responsibility that you can taste in the glass.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Nebbiolo with an exceptionally low yield of just 15 hl/ha. The grapes were destemmed and left on the skins for up to 60 days – a bold commitment to extraction without excess. Fermentation in open stainless steel tanks with regular punch-downs of the cap. Maturation since 2020 in large, tapered wooden vats for around 24 months – an approach that fosters both freshness and depth.

Food Pairing Suggestions

A wine for the table: rosy-roasted venison loin under an herb crust with savoy cabbage is the classic choice. Equally convincing with braised oxtail on pearl barley with red wine onions. For those who prefer vegetarian: ravioli with mushrooms, white tomato foam and roasted hazelnuts beautifully mirrors the nutty and earthy tones of the wine.

Special Features

The 2021 Cottá is a Barbaresco of classical cut – uncompromising in its origins, yet possessed of an accessibility that is rare. Not a wine for the impatient, but one that already offers considerable pleasure now. Drinking window: 2026–2040.