Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin 2019

Domenico Clerico built his reputation in Monforte d'Alba, in Piedmont's Langhe, as one of the Barolo Boys who modernised the region. Ciabot Mentin is a single-vineyard Barolo made from Nebbiolo, the grape behind the appellation's finest reds. Nebbiolo is early to bud and late to ripen, and Barolo's calcareous marl soils, high hillside sites and cool nights give it perfume, high acidity and famously firm tannin, all framing a full 14.5% alcohol. The wine is aged in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange over an extended elevage resolves those tannins and adds spice, while the ageing develops Nebbiolo's tertiary, savoury complexity. Despite its pale colour, garnet-tinged, Barolo is a powerful wine. The nose is sour cherry and rose, with tobacco, dried herbs and a leathery, tarry depth. The palate is structured and long, with high acidity, firm, fine-grained tannin, liquorice and savoury spice through a persistent finish. This is a wine for the cellar and for the table. Decant it well ahead and serve at 16 to 18C in a large glass. It suits braised beef, game and truffle dishes.