Ettore Germano Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba DOCG 2021

Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba comes from Ettore Germano, founded in 1856 and based in this commune in the Langhe hills of Piedmont. Where the single-vineyard wines come from one named cru, this bottling blends Nebbiolo from across the estate's plots in Serralunga, giving a portrait of the village as a whole. Serralunga is known for its calcareous marl soils and warm exposures, which give the most structured and long-lived Barolo of the appellation. Nebbiolo is high in tannin and acidity and ripens late, carrying the character of its limestone base clearly. The wine is fermented with a long maceration on the skins to build colour and tannin, then aged for eighteen months in cask, where slow oxygen exchange softens the structure and adds savoury depth, with a further six months in bottle. It is pale garnet, with red cherry and redcurrant on the nose, rose-petal lift and the liquorice, tar, dried herbs and leather of classic Nebbiolo. The palate is firm and savoury, the tannins structured, the finish long. This is grown under respectful farming. Serve at 17 degrees Celsius and decant ahead. It suits braised beef, game and aged cheese.