Prunotto Bric Turot Barbaresco DOCG 2020
(Piedmont, Italy) - [DM 95] [WE 94] [VM 93] [JS 93] [WS 92] [WA 91]

About the Winery:
Following World War II, Alfredo Prunotto and his wife took over and restored an old cooperative winery called "Vini delle Langhe", establishing a new era under the Prunotto name. Prunotto imposed new standards on production, elevating the level of quality and succeeding in exporting his wines to several countries. Prunotto was the first winery to individually select grapes from the finest vineyards and to designate the name of the vineyard (cru) as a symbol of the quality and specific characteristics of the wine. The Antinori group purchased the winery in 1989 and made great investments towards improvements. The strategic vision brought by Antinori is well represented by the acquisition of prominent vineyards in the most exclusive areas: the Bussia vineyard, acquired in 1990, and the Bric Turot vineyard, bought in 1997, to name two.

Prunotto's desire to control every detail in all phases of production, starting from the vine and ending in the glass has become a distinctive feature of their high quality. The balance between tradition and innovation continues to be a distinctive feature of Prunotto wines. The meticulous care for each bottle is the result of a century of experience, great passion for wine and love for the land of Piedmont. These characteristics made Prunotto a leader in the production of Alba's finest wines.

Notes from the Winemaker:
This balanced and pleasant Barbaresco is the result of a combination of factors: the vineyard’s diversified exposure due to the shape of the “bricco” (the summit of a hill in local dialect), a specific clonal selection and aging in barrels of different capacities.

Vintage Notes:
 The 2020 winter season began with mild temperatures and limited precipitation without any particularly critical weather events. The first half of spring was relatively dry and sunny that led to early and even vegetative growth. The months of May and June brought a considerable number of rainy days that slowed down vine development, losing the head start achieved in spring. These climatic conditions provided beneficial groundwater reserves and, together with moderate summer temperatures, prevented water stress in the vineyards. Regular cluster thinning adjusted the crop load per vine to encourage the accumulation of optimal sugar levels. Excellent climatic conditions persisted throughout September with significant fluctuations between day and night temperatures that guaranteed an ideal ripening phase. Harvesting began on September 27th and was completed on October 6th.

Harvest and Vinification
Immediately upon arrival in the cellar, grapes were destemmed and crushed. Maceration on the skins took place over a period of approximately 10 days at a temperature that did not exceed 30°C (86 °F). Malolactic fermentation was completed before winter. The wine was aged in oak barrels of varying capacities for about 12 months. Bric Turot was then aged in the bottle for a year before being released.

Tasting Notes:
Bric Turot is intensely garnet red in color, lively and bright. The nose expresses intense notes of violets and rose petals accompanied by hints of jam, mountain hay and spicy sensations. The enveloping palate is full bodied, harmonious, and velvety revealing intense balsamic notes. Flavors and aromas linger on the persistent finish.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Full of restraint, liquorice, dill, blood orange, this is intensely floral, showing vibrant fruit such as strawberry and orange. A lot of volume here. Lively freshness up to the finish, and firm, muscular tannins which are youthful, dusty yet ripe. A graceful classic for the long haul. Bric Turot is a single vineyard with both southeast and southwest exposition in the Pertinace area. The wine is fermented for 10 days at a maximum of 30°C. It ages in 56-hectolitre botti grandi for 18 months." - Aldo Fiordelli (Jan 2023)

94 Points & Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast:
"Focused aromas of wild strawberry and raspberry combined with fresh bay leaf, wildflowers and sandalwood rise from the glass of this serious wine. Flavors of cranberry and tart cherry pop off the vibrant palate with notes of leather and tea finishing with supple tannins and a persistent minerality. Drink 2028–2040." – Jeff Porter (Dec 2023)

93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2020 Barbaresco Bric Turot is one of the most elegant wines I have tasted from Prunotto of late. Medium in body, yet quite layered, with terrific freshness, the 2020 impresses with its stature and fine balance. In the best Barbaresco tradition, the Bric Turot offers tons of flavor intensity but with no excess with. Spice, crushed flowers, leather, cedar, menthol and crushed rocks linger on the persistent finish." - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2023)

93 Points - James Suckling:
"Crunchy and fruity with very fine tannins and bright raspberry, cherry and spice aromas and flavors. Makes you want to drink it now but it should age nicely. Citrus at the end. Drinkable but better in three or four years." (Jun 2023)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This red delivers sufficient cherry, strawberry and hibiscus flavors, augmented by eucalyptus and grassy notes. Turns leaner and firmer on the finish, where sanguine and iron accents add detail. Graceful and multifaceted. Best from 2026 through 2042. 210 cases imported." – Bruce Sanderson (Dec 2023)

91 Points - Wine Advocate:
"One of the historic wines made by the Marchesi Antinori-owned Prunotto (with a winery outside of Alba), this is a lean and streamlined expression with mild aromas of dried cherry and redcurrant. The bouquet comes off as rather simple, although there are some spices and savory tones to add depth. I find this wine to be rather one-dimensional and stripped-down in terms of mouthfeel. It offers a good portrait of Nebbiolo but with only some of the magic. Production is 25,000 bottles." – Monica Larner (Aug 2023)