Sandrone
Le Vigne Barolo Sibi et Paucis 2008
Barolo
Each year, the winery chooses to put aside a small part of their production of the wines based in Nebbiolo. The winery holds these in their library under optimal conditions for resting, refining and the slow march toward maturity. The seal on the labels identifies these specific bottles and their path which began under the ground in their cellars.
Barolo Le Vigne is often a dark and impenetrable wine in its youth. With proper cellaring, this wine reveals more classic Barolo aspects of black cherries, tar, violets and roses. This wine can outlive the ALESTE/Cannubi Boschis bottling in great years: Le Vigne shows more tannins than its brother and possesses amazing freshness and length.
VINEYARD
The first vineyard, Vignane, is situated in the historical part of the Barolo appellation and shares many characteristics with Cannubi. The second vineyard, Conterni in Monforte d’Alba produces wines of great tannic structure and shares some of the austere character of Serralunga fruit. The third, Ceretta di Perno, is also from the Monforte d’Alba side and produces wines of freshness and vivacity. Lastly, the Merli vineyard is located in Novello, produces wines that are earthy and robust but with good aromatic complexity.
WINEMAKING
Each vineyard is vinified separately, and after destemming and light crushing, the must is covered with CO2 for a gentle warm maceration of approximately a day. Alcoholic fermentation begins about 24-36 hours later from native yeasts. A gentle maceration takes place in upright open-top steel tanks for the first 9-15 days of alcoholic fermentation. Immediately after alcoholic fermentation, which takes 28-30 days, malolactic fermentation takes place in 500 liter French oak casks. The wine is aged in these casks for 24 months, followed by 18 months bottle aging.
VINTAGE
The adjective that best describes 2008 is “classic.” From a climactic point of view, this vintage takes you back to the 1970s, with a rainy spring, followed by a gradual stabilization of the climatic weather over the summer that allowed the winery to achieve an excellent maturation and a unique balance of acid and tannin.
TASTING NOTE
On the nose, an ethereal character of fruity notes of small- berry jam, cherry preserved in spirits, and dried apricot prevails; accompanied by floral sensations such as dried roses. Then spices such as pepper and vanilla emerge, followed by hints of dried mushrooms, leather and white truffles. The flavor is complex, the balanced alcohol gives warmth and fullness of structure, while fresh acidity and smooth tannin show a velvety character.
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Nebbiolo
Appellation
Barolo
Farming
Follows organic farming but has chosen not to seek certification. Minimal quantities of Bordeaux mixture and sulfur (as allowed per organic practices) are used to control mold and fungus, and fertilization every 4-6 years occurs with composted manure from dairy cows.
Alcohol
14.5%
Reviews
Wine Advocate - October 31, 2018 “The 2008 Barolo Le Vigne Sibi et Paucis comes from a vintage that was sandwiched between other blockbuster years such as 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. This is an excellent expression that excels in the delivery of both power and elegance. These are the two cornerstones of this remarkable wine. Le Vigne is a blend of fruit from various cru sites spanning various townships within the greater Barolo appellation. The percentages of fruit per township (Serralunga d’Alba vs Monforte d’Alba, for example) is adjusted according to the specifics of the vintage. That inherent flexibility is exactly what makes this wine so special. Dark fruit segues to lighter tones of ash, grilled herb and dried fruit. The tannins are silky and long.”
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Dolcetto d’Alba
Dolcetto d'Alba
Sandrone's Dolcetto d’Alba is produced using Dolcetto grapes from 11 different vineyards, all within the Barolo DOCG. Sandrone’s Dolcetto sees no time in wood and is a remarkably robust and complex example of the variety.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d'Alba
The Sandrone Barbera d'Alba comes from three vineyards: Merli and Rocche di San Nicola in Novello, and Cascina Pe Mol in Monforte d’Alba. It is widely considered one of the most intense and complex Barberas produced.
Valmaggiore
Nebbiolo d'Alba
Valmaggiore is the product of Luciano’s incredible passion for the Nebbiolo grape variety and its different expression. Just 15 miles away from Barolo, in the Roero region, Nebbiolo produces a lighter structure and ripe, smooth tannins that are not unlike those of Pinot Noir. This is not a “baby Barolo” or a second wine at all – it is a distinct interpretation of Nebbiolo from a completely distinct geographic zone.
ALESTE Barolo
Barolo
A combination of the names of Luciano Sandrone's grandchildren ALEssia and STEfano, ALESTE is the new name for Luciano's first wine, the Barolo Cannubi Boschis, which garnered early acclaim with the international trade and press. This single-vineyard wine is typically dense and concentrated, but shows incredible harmony and balance.
