Fontanafredda Barbaresco Coste Rubín 2019
(Piedmont, Italy) - [WS 93] [JS 92] [WE 90]

About the Winery:
Since 1858, the Fontanafredda Estate & Winery has been instrumental to the growth and international awareness of Barolo, while championing sustainability and community engagement in the Langhe region of Piedmont. Under the lead of visionary entrepreneur, Oscar Farinetti, Fontanafredda has built a portfolio of wines that express the depth and diversity of the Langhe, produced from grapes that are farmed from organic and sustainably managed vineyards. Since the 2018 harvest, Fontanafredda is the largest certified organic winery in Piedmont.

About this Wine:
Nebbiolo grapes for Coste Rubìn are sourced from the Treiso and Neive communes of Barbaresco. South and South-West-facing vineyards lie between 250 - 300m asl and are composed of clay and calcareous marl-rich soil. Guyot-trained vines are planted at a density of 4,500 plants/ha. Grapes are harvested within the first weeks of October.

WINEMAKING & AGEING
As soon as the grapes reach the winery, they are de-stemmed and crushed, then fermented using selected yeasts at a temperature of 82-86°F. The must is pumped over the skins regularly to optimize extraction of color and tannin. Maceration lasts 15 days, followed by malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged in large 2,000 and 3,000-liter Allier oak barrels. Aged for one year, the wine is then transferred to stainless steel for a short period before bottling.

TASTING NOTES:
Ruby-red with garnet highlights. On the nose ripe plums, blueberries and violets merge harmoniously with hints of licorice, cinnamon, and tobacco. Well-structured tannins and closely packed fruit fill the mouth, leading to a long finish. This is an ideal pairing for well-seasoned steaks and flavorful stews.

Ratings & Reviews:

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Endowed by cherry and currant fruit aligned to a sleek structure, this red is tightly wound. A mineral underpinning runs throughout, while vivid acidity and dusty tannins grace the finish. Best from 2025 through 2043." - BS (Feb 2023)

92 Points - James Suckling:
"A fresh, tight Barbaresco with cherries, spices, orange zest, tar and some toffee on the nose. Medium-bodied with firm, tight tannins. Vegan. Better after 2024." (Jul 2022)

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Upfront aromas of raspberry macerated in sweet spices and strawberry fruit leather flow from the glass. Subtle hints of wild herbs and drying roses waft by as the wine opens. Sour cherry is the dominant flavor on the palate with support from black tea and licorice with classic tannins and acidity on the finish." - Jeff Porter (Dec 2023)