La Spinona Langhe Nebbiolo DOC 2022

La Spinona Langhe Nebbiolo has a ruby red color that tends to garnet red with ageing and an attractive nose of cherries, chocolate, dried raspberries, citrus peel and a hint of star anise. The taste is crunchy and savory, with firm tannins and chalky, minerally undertones. Medium-bodied, fresh and poised.

The grapes are harvested by hand in perforated baskets, which allow air to pass through the bunches. The grapes are gently destemmed, then softly pressed. Natural cold maceration occurs for approximately one day, followed by 8-10 days of fermentation, with automatic punching down in the first few days and pumping over at key stages in the process. Racking and gentle pressing is done to obtain only the best-quality wine. Natural malolactic fermentation is allowed in a temperature-controlled environment (20°C). The wine is aged 12 months in stainless steel vats, then in the bottle for 8-10 months.

The two Pietro Beruttis, grandfather and grandson, are well known and respected in the Barbaresco area and have received much acclaim both nationally and internationally for their wines. Their best Barbaresco cru comes from the Faset vineyard area, of which Berutti owns the “Bricco” or crest of the vineyard. Only the owner of these coveted hilltop vineyards can use the designations “Bricco”, “Bric” on the label.

The label of La Spinona is as famous as the wine. The Spinona is a special breed of Piedmontese hunting Dog, which the Beruttis raise. As the legend goes, this particular dog, Baica, received her place of honor on the label for an act of great heroism, saving the Beruttis only son from drowning in the irrigation lake when he was a baby. The son then became a veterinarian to save the dogs and later obtained a degree in agronomy to take care of the vineyards.