Let's begin with the beautiful vineyard in Cru Meriame in the comune (municipality) of Serralunga d'Alba in Barolo. This is where the ancient grapes from which this wine is made are grown. The vineyards are situated at a perfect altitude of 350 meters and are planted facing southeast. This guarantees the harvest plenty of sunshine but also plenty of coolness. This cooling is achieved by the wind from the mountaintops and the sharp drop in nighttime temperatures. This results in slow and balanced ripening, allowing the clusters to develop their full strength thanks to the unique subsoil. The soil consists primarily of clay and limestone, and this characteristic is evident in this red wine. Harvesting the Nebbiolo grapes is a crucial task. Under the guidance of Paolo Manzone himself, the clusters are harvested by hand and transported in small crates to the winery. After vinification, the black juice is aged in oak for a full 24 months. The entire wine matures for just over half in large Slovenian oak barrels of 3000 liters and the remainder in French oak barrels of 300 liters.
This red wine has become a true celebration after its oak aging. Before enjoying this powerful Barolo, it needs to be aerated a little. When poured from the carafe, it reveals a beautiful light red color with orange highlights. It flows from the glass, giving us a warm sensation of rose petals, dried fruit, tar, and a touch of undergrowth. On the palate, it's enchanting, with soft tannins on the tongue, abundant ripe red fruit, and light spice. Swirl this red wine vigorously around the mouth, and you'll also taste hints of tobacco, cherries, vanilla, and toast. The intense, long finish completes the whole experience.
