Barbera d'Alba Superiore, Pairolero, Sottimano - 2022

Founded in the 1970s by Rino Sottimano and taken over by two of his children, Elena and Andrea, this family-run estate in Barbaresco is a reference point in the Langhe region. Starting with a few plots of land in the Cottà cru, it now has almost 18 hectares spread over five of the best local crus, namely Currà, Cottà, Pajoré, Fausoni and Basarin. The vineyards have been cultivated organically since the very beginning, with absolute rigour in the work on the soil and the plants, and the approach in the cellar is equally respectful of the raw material. Fermentations and macerations last at least three weeks. No selected yeast is used. Malolactic fermentation is never triggered; it occurs naturally in the spring following the harvest. The wine is aged in François Frères Burgundy barrels of very noble origin, where it remains for 18 to 22 months. Each wine expresses its terroir and vintage with maximum precision and detail, combining the tannic elegance of the Burgundian approach in casks with the classic restraint of Piedmontese wines.