Michele Chiarlo – Barolo Cerequio Riserva – 2010

Michele Chiarlo is one of the figures who contributed to the revolution of quality wines in Piedmont. Coming from a family of winemakers in Monferrato, after having finished his studies at the enological school of Alba in the 1950’s he started his adventure as a wine producer in Calamandrana where the winery is still located today. He was a visionary and a dreamer, he immediately understood which were the best expositions and grapes on which to focus on, especially in a period of misery and abandonment of the countryside. During the years the winery has invested in the purchase of new vineyards such as the historical hill La Court in the heart of Monferrato, from which the most renowned Barbera of the winery comes from, in Gavi for the production of white wines and finally two vineyards in the Barolo area such as cru Cerequio (from which was born Palas Cerequio, a resort surrounded by vineyards) and the famous Cannubi. Today the winery manages 110 hectares of land, establishing itself on the market as a worldwide reference point for the production of Barbera, Gavi and Barolo. The style in the winery and in the vineyard has always been traditional, both for the use of wooden barrels used for fermentations as well, and most of all for the attention paid to the work in the vineyard by avoiding the use of chemical products, doing only manual work and aggressive thinning. Moreover the winery has always had at heart the safeguarding of the territory, opening an open air artistic park among vineyards collaborating with international artists such as Ugo Nespolo, Giancarlo Ferraris. Wines of great territorial expression, which can give remarkable results over time thanks to their complexity.
Barolo Cerequio comes from the vineyard having the same name, bought by Chiarlo family in the 1980’s. Located in the town of La Morra, already in 1800 was cited as one of the best locations for the structure of Nebbiolo. Here the soils are of the Tortonian geological formation formed about 9/10 million years ago, rich in blue marl and sand giving the Barolo good structure, but also depth and elegance. With the oldest vineyard of the 1970’s and only in the best years, reserve is produced. 2010 was one of the most technically and climatically perfect vintages of the last 20 years, and for its austerity is considered the best Barolo ever produced by Chiarlo. In this case the wine was aged for 3 years in large oak casks and 3 years in bottle. Sublime.

• Producer: Michele Chiarlo
• Name: Barolo Cerequio Riserva
• Grape Variety: 100% Nebbiolo
• Vintage: 2010
• Alcohol Content: 14%
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Productive Notes: Fermentation in wooden vats. Aging for two years in medium-sized oak barrels.