Cascina Fontana Barolo 2020

Cascina Fontana is a family winery in the Langhe hills of Barolo, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, where Mario Fontana continues six generations of work on the estate. This Barolo is made from Nebbiolo, the grape behind Piedmont's greatest reds, drawn from family vineyards. Barolo's calcareous marl soils and cool hillside sites suit Nebbiolo, an early budding, late ripening variety that develops firm tannin and high acidity along with its pale colour and perfume. The wide autumn diurnal range preserves the aromatics and acidity that give Barolo its length. Fermentation is followed by extended ageing in wood, as required by the appellation, where slow oxygen exchange resolves Nebbiolo's powerful tannin and builds tertiary complexity without covering the fruit. Malolactic fermentation softens the sharp acidity before barrel. The colour is a pale garnet, typical of the grape. The nose is classic Nebbiolo, red cherry and dried rose over tobacco, leather, tar and dried herbs, and the palate is full bodied and firmly structured, with high acidity, gripping tannin and a very long savoury finish. This is a wine to cellar or to decant well ahead. Serve at 18 degrees with rich meat dishes.