Fausoni Barbaresco DOCG 2018

A Nebbiolo of athletic stature, held together by a firm tannic frame that gives it clear definition. Despite the lighter 2018 vintage, it shows dark-fruited depth and complexity. A wine built for the long haul.

The Fausoni cru lies just outside Neive, within the triangle formed by Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso. At 1.5 hectares, it is Sottimano's smallest cru and carries the estate's youngest vines: around 45 years old, facing southwest. Fausoni balances elegance, fragrant aromatics and deep concentration. The winery is based at the Cottà cru, acquired by Rino Sottimano in the 1960s; today Andrea, Elena and Claudia Sottimano run the estate according to biodynamic principles.

Pure Nebbiolo, spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, around 25 days of maceration. Malolactic fermentation also begins spontaneously, in French oak. 24 months of barrel ageing, twelve of them on the lees; 15 percent new oak, the rest in second- to fourth-fill barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

On the nose, morello cherry and preserved wild cherry, raspberry juice, redcurrant and dried flowers, along with sandalwood, clove, allspice, incense, dried tomato, sage and a balsamic note. On entry, the tannin leads: fine-grained and dense, with an invigorating, austere astringency over the fruit. Concentrated tension, delicately saline minerality, firm texture, fruity-dry finish with long persistence.

Saddle of hare in chocolate sauce with Brussels sprout leaves, barberries and pommes dauphine, turbot under a bone-marrow crust with celeriac purée and beurre rouge, or salad of grilled beetroot, black walnuts, pine nuts and dill.

Starting with the 2014 vintage, Sottimano modernised its use of oak; the wines now show approachability even in their youth, with vibrancy and depth. 14.0% ABV, dry.