Basarin Barbaresco DOCG 2019

S. Bordthäuser, 6.5.21

The Azienda Agricola Sottimano was bought in the 60s by Rino Sottimano and is located in the middle of the Cottà site. In the following years, it was successively extended by the Currá, Fausoni, Basarin and Pajoré crus. Today the winery is run by son Andrea and his sisters Elena and Claudia. Situated in the triangle of Barbaresco, Neive, and Treiso, Sottimano has been working according to biodynamic guidelines for years in order to bottle the character of the five crus as precisely as possible.

The Cru Basarin is a historic vineyard in the Barbaresco area and is located on the border of Neive and Treiso. On a good three hectares, the vines with an average age of 25-60 years stand in a south-western orientation. The wines are enormously complex with a dense structure and considerable depth. 

Fermentation is always spontaneous with their own yeasts, maceration is usually 25 days and BSA is also spontaneous in French oak. The wines mature for 24 months in the barrel , 12 months of which are on the lees. The use of wood in winemaking has been modernised with the 2014 vintage, making the wines appear more accessible with immense vibration and depth even in their youth. The wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Brilliant velvet red with light rusty-brown hints and light rim

The 2019 Barbaresco from the Basarin vineyard shows its earthy and chocolaty side at the beginning. Forest floor, a little coniferous forest, undergrowth and dried porcini mushrooms come out wonderfully. They are joined by dark chocolate and strongly roasted coffee beans. On the ethereal side, juniper and pine needles are added. A hint of marjoram and black pepper add spice. The fruit has a hard time next to it. Blackberry and plum only come to the fore discreetly. The sweet cherry is still hiding in the background. One day, it will make its mark on this wine.

Andrea Sottimano's wines are getting better, more filigree and finer every year. 2019 is surprisingly accessible so early. It starts off quite compact. However, the tannin emerges in a pleasant way. Barbaresco Basarin grabs hold directly and appears quite fleshy. Then the coolness and elegance take over. It can benefit from the fine minerality and leans on this framework. The acid pressure follows directly and allows it to drift in these waters. The fruit comes out much better on the palate. Strawberry, sweet cherry as well as sour cherry provide plenty of serious fruit alongside plums. In the finish, it tightens up a little and proves its great development potential. The ethereal spiciness now slowly gets going again.