Azienda Agricola Sottimano Barbaresco Pajoré 2020

Rino Sottimano began this Piedmontese estate in the early 1960s, and the family has grown it into one of Barbaresco's most respected producers across eighteen hectares. Pajoré is a single named vineyard, or cru, within the D.O.C.G., long regarded as one of the finest sites in the appellation. The wine is made from Nebbiolo, the noble grape of the Langhe, on the calcareous marl soils that give Barbaresco its structure and perfume. The continental climate, with warm days and cool nights, drives a long, slow ripening that preserves Nebbiolo's high acidity and firm tannin. The wine is aged for twelve months in barrel, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins, followed by a further twelve months in bottle to integrate before release. The colour is pale garnet with a maturing edge. The nose shows red fruits and cherry with dried rose, leather, tobacco and herbs. The palate is medium to full bodied, with bright acidity, fine but firm tannins and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant for an hour. It suits the rich dishes of its home region.