Barolo Rocche Dell'Annunziata 2017

The vines in the Oberto family plot date back to just after the second world war and are grown in two distinct types of marl: silty laminated marl and sandy marl. The silt retains water and allows the vines to thrive, while the sand remains largely dry, developing intense perfume.

Aside from an extra week of maceration, the Rocche is treated exactly the same as the Barolo DOCG and is a picture perfect lense into this amazing terroir. Fruit is completely destemmed and fermentation is conducted with indigenous yeasts and lasts for 11 days, followed by 3 days of skin maceration. Aging lasts for 22 months in a combination of Slavonian and Garbellotto oak casks.

2017 will be remembered for being one of the driest vintages ever, with only 370 mm of rainfall from February to October. Summer was hot, but the lack of water obliged the vines to protect themselves and hence, right after summer, they somehow stopped their vegetative cycle. Around mid September, there was no reason to wait longer (looking for the perfect phenolic ripeness) and harvested began in a trying effort to save freshness and acidity. This was the earliest harvest ever in both Rocche dell’Annunziata and Berri. Despite the extreme conditions and the expectations, wines fermented well and during the aging, they were able to develop a great juiciness and to achieve a very good balance; in fact, 2017 Barolos from Trediberri are surprisingly not heavy or over extracted at all, rather particularly juicy and easy. And that is not bad !!

“Trediberri 2017 Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata reflects the extreme conditions of the vintage. To be honest, right after the harvest, the elements of the wine were not at their place and it took a while in cask order to achieve the balance we aimed. But the final result is particularly gratifying, as the wine shows structure and a strong fruity profile on one side, but also length and minerality on the other. I personally love this wine, as it clearly represents a grand cru from La Morra, in a dry/warm vintage. Mouth-watering. 2021-2050.”

You will want a dish to match the power and intensity of this wine – braised meat, aged cheese and game are a few great options.