|
“La Ca' Nova is, in my view, quite possibly the greatest Barbaresco estate most people have not heard about. Stated simply, I can't recommend these wines highly enough, especially for readers who enjoy deep, classically structured Barbarescos.” – Antonio Galloni
Well, the secret is starting to get out… La Ca Nova just received the highest scores in Galloni’s most recent report on Barbaresco, out-scoring even the $100-200+ bottles from the big names. Lucky for you, we've been hooked on this winery for a few years now, press or no, and the distributor rewarded us by selling us the bulk of the state's allocation! It pays to be first to the party!
*Note. There are TWO wines offered here*
La Ca’ Nova, Barbaresco
“This estate has quietly been making outstanding, terroir-driven Barbarescos for generations from two of the denomination's top crus, Montestefano and Montefico. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect is that these polished and compelling wines are made without utilizing modern technology. Pietro Rocca, the family's smiling and modest patriarch, is a fourth generation of grape grower. In the early 1970s, he began making and bottling Barbarescos; before that, his family sold their grapes to none other than Angelo Gaja. There is no secret as to why these wines are quintessential expressions of Nebbiolo – it all starts in the vineyards with healthy grapes that are allowed to reach an optimal ripeness. Their single vineyard bottlings come from two of the most coveted sites in Barbaresco. Montestefano produces some of the most structured Barbarescos, and the Roccas own prime parcels situated at 270 m above sea level with full southern exposures. Motefico, where the Roccas own the Bric Mentina vineyard, has a similar altitude, Southern and southeastern exposure, and marl soil. Local legend has it that Montefico was once owned by Domizio Cavazza, the founding father of Barbaresco.
Today Pietro is joined by his sons Marco, an enologist, and Ivan, an agronomist who tends to the vineyards. The firm adopts a strictly hands off approach in the winery, using only wild and native yeasts for fermentation. This takes place mostly in steel tanks and three wooden conical bats, but with no temperature control. Just before fermentation is complete, the firm continues fermentation and maceration with the antique tradition known as steccatura, whereby wooden planks keep the cap submerged in the tank. This time-consuming method gently extracts more color and polyphenols. For the firm’s single-vineyard bottlings, fermentation and maceration generally takes twenty-five to thirty days. After fermentation, the firm ages its Barbarescos in 30 hectoliter casks, but rather than Slovenian oak, Pietro prefers Austrian oak: “They are untoasted and neutral, and are the best-quality barrels I have ever seen. In fourteen years, not one has ever leaked a drop.” Pietro recounts that eschewing barriques a decade ago was very difficult, especially since his children were pushing him to switch over. “Now they’re glad we didn’t because these days there is a strong interest in traditionally crafted wines, but it was a battle for a few years,” he says. The wines are also unfiltered, and besides being quintessential Barbarescos with finesse and structure, they are also extremely well priced.” – Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast
 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina 2018
Sale $44.99
95 pts Wine Enthusiast / 95 pts Vinous
“Ripe berry and dark spice aromas come to the forefront along with earthy truffle notes. On the savory, elegant palate, firm, refined tannins support raspberry compote, mature cherry and baking spice. It's nicely balanced, with fresh acidity.” - WE
“The 2018 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina is fabulous. Most producers would dream of making a wine like this in a strong vintage, much less one that presented so many challenges. Rose petal, goudron, lavender, spice and blue/purplish fruit open first. The 2018 is relatively soft and supple, but that is not a bad thing for a wine from Montefico, where the Barbarescos are often searing in intensity. The 2018 finishes with real weight and intensity.” - V
 Barbaresco Montestefano 2018
Sale $44.99
96 pts Wine Enthusiast / 94 pts Vinous
“Forest floor, cedar, new leather and camphor aromas take shape in the glass on this compelling, earthy red. Showing a Barolo-like structure, the full-bodied, savory palate has an alluring wildness and energy to it, delivering dried cherry, blood orange, black olive and licorice framed against a backbone of tightly knit tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced. It's still youthfully austere and needs a few more years to fully develop.” - WE
“The 2018 Barbaresco Montestefano is brisk and engaging. This is an especially strict reading of Montestefano that seems to have more of Montefico-like sense of vibrancy and tension. Rosewater, orange peel, white pepper and bright red-toned fruit are all finely cut. The 2018 comes across as a touch severe today. I would cellar it for a few years and see what happens.” - V
Supply is extremely limited. Please reply to order. |
