Elvio Cogno Barolo Bricco Pernice 2018

Bricco Pernice is a single-vineyard Barolo from DOCG Barolo in Piedmont, made by Elvio Cogno from the Lampia clone of Nebbiolo on the Bricco Ravera hills at Novello. Nebbiolo is an early-budding, late-ripening grape that needs the best sites to ripen fully, and these south-facing slopes on calcareous marl soils give the long, even ripening that builds its firm tannin and high acidity. The wide day-to-night temperature swing of the Langhe hills preserves perfume and freshness. Long, slow ageing in oak softens the powerful tannins through gradual oxygen exchange and lets the wine develop its classic tertiary character without masking the fruit. The colour is pale garnet, typical of Nebbiolo. The nose shows red cherry, dried rose, tar, leather and tobacco over an earthy, mineral base. The palate is full bodied and firmly structured, with grippy tannin, bright acidity and a long, savoury finish built for the cellar. Serve at 18 degrees and decant well ahead. It suits braised beef, game and truffle dishes.