Michele Chiarlo - Barbaresco Faset - Barbaresco 2021
Michele Chiarlo, the iconic winemaker of Barolo
Michele Chiarlo has played a key role in the production of Italian fine wines and the international recognition of the Barolo appellation. His story as a wine producer began in 1956. From early on, he was convinced that the emancipation of the Piedmont hill has to be found in quality wines that highlight the greatest terroirs. In 1988, he bottled his first Cru of Barolo. Since then, he has never stopped fighting for this appellation and its great wines.
During his career, Michele Chiarlo has always followed his father's advice: "to be patient, make sacrifices but buy only vineyards in important positions". This led him to purchase the most prestigious crus in the Piedmont, in Barolo but also in Barbaresco.
Faset is among the most recognised areas of Barbaresco. The cru used to belong to the Conti Cocito di Neive in the 1900s. Now it is divided between various owners. The south facing vineyards form a large and steep slope, with the west side facing towards the Tanaro River. The parcel from which Michele Chiarlo's Barbaresco Faset is produced covers only 1ha of vines and is located on the top of the hill.
The 2021 vintage
Climatic conditions:
The earlier part of the year saw both rain and snow, which piled up to a height of 60cm among the vineyards of the Langhe. March saw no rainfall and temperature remained above average, prompting an early start of vegetation. Such conditions led us to expect another hot vintage and early harvest, but we were proven wrong: temperatures in April and May were cold, slowing down the early vegetative development. In mid-May, the signs seemed to point to a later harvest, instead: the vines were growing slowly, temperatures were quite low during the night and the wind was always cold. June marked the beginning of a long, hot (but not torrid) and dry summer that lasted until September, with milder temperatures during the day. Despite the significant weather fluctuations experienced in spring, 2021 turned out to be an outstanding vintage thanks to the excellent climate that followed.
Stefano Chiarlo, winemaker
Tasting notes:
Colour: garnet with brilliant hues
Nose: ample and aristocratic, notes of dried rose petals, small red fruits and an elegant hint of minerals combined with fine spices
Taste: has great structure, elegant and welcoming, marked minerality with the dense texture of fine tannins